How should I anchor when the wind is against the tide?
When I anchor my yacht with the wind blowing against the tidal stream, she sometimes sits across the chain instead of dropping back neatly. Which way should I approach, and how do I stop the chain going under the boat when the tide turns?
Answer
Anchor with the bow facing whichever force controls the boat, then lay the chain along a clear track and set the anchor progressively. Allow for a change of direction at slack water: wind against tide can make the boat lie across the rode, surge forward or swing differently from neighbouring boats.
Check depth and swinging room
Check that the anchorage will remain sheltered and deep enough through the next tidal change. Wind against a strong stream can produce steep, uncomfortable waves, particularly near entrances, shoals and narrow channels. Moving into weaker current often solves more problems than changing the anchoring arrangement.
Make a slow reconnaissance circuit, watching the sounder around the proposed drop point. A circle roughly 35 to 40 metres out is a useful starting check, but inspect the whole expected swinging area if your rode and boat length require more room.
- Calculate clearance at the lowest expected water level, allowing for waves and a margin beneath the keel. Even in Danish waters, allow for a possible 30 cm fall rather than assuming the level will stay constant.
- Choose sand or mud where possible. Avoid weed, cables and charted obstructions.
- Check room through a full circle, including space towards the anchor if the boat overruns it.
- Watch nearby boats. A deep-keeled yacht and a high-sided motorboat may respond differently to the same wind and stream.
Find the dominant force
In clear water, briefly take the engine out of gear and watch the boat's heading and movement against fixed shore features. A strong stream usually holds the bow into the current; in weaker current, windage may bring the bow into the wind. When the forces nearly balance, the boat may lie across both or wander.
Approach the drop point slowly into the dominant force. The familiar instruction to put the bow into the wind works when wind controls the boat. Forcing that approach against a stronger tide makes laying the chain harder.
- Stop over the chosen position and lower the anchor to the seabed under control.
- Pay out chain as the boat moves away, keeping it ahead of the bow rather than piling it onto the anchor.
- If natural movement is insufficient, use gentle engine movements to establish a clear track away from the anchor. Check the rode's position before engaging gear.
- Briefly check the payout once or twice to straighten the chain and encourage the anchor to bite, then deploy the full intended length.