[Public-List] Reversing the A-30

John Riley jriley at dsbscience.com
Mon Apr 4 09:02:24 PDT 2011


Just to be clear, I don't see anything wrong with backing on anchor to
TEST the set, just not the setting itself.  I, too, have seen folks rev
up in reverse before the anchor has dug in, then wonder why they pulled
the anchor all over the anchorage.  Usually, in my experience at least,
these have been power boaters who lack the patience to let the boat
drift onto the hook, let it set, then wait (10 minutes or an hour,
whatever), to back down and test for holding in a simulated "building wind."

As I said, my experience anchoring under sail and not using the engine
at all (or indeed, not even having a running engine <wink>) forces me to
doubt that backing down is necessary at all.  Peace of mind as a
psychological crutch, perhaps, but not as one would say really NEEDED.

And I don't care what Don Jordan says, I would NEVER anchor stern-to,
period.  Light wind or storm, never, at least given just about any other
choice.  I'm not even a fan of bow-and-stern anchoring, but prefer, when
two hooks are needed, to anchor two off the bow either at about a 60
degree angle or in a Bahamiam Moor.  My boat stayed thus anchored on the
Sampit River for 18 months (on a 32 lb Lewmar Claw and a 22 lb Danforth).

Stirring the pot even further...

The question to ask in regard to reversing an Alberg 30 is: how to do so
under sail?  :) 


-- 
John S. Riley
S/V Gaelic Sea
1972 Alberg 30 #521


 1301932944.0


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