MARINAS VS. ANCHORING OUT

[Doug]

I am wondering how many Albin CB owners prefer to anchor out vs. staying overnight in a marina whenever you are staying on your boat.

Our choice has alway been to anchor out, and we have equipped our boat accordingly. Please let us know how you use your boats.

Doug

[jcollins]

I don't own a CB but we do anchor out about 1/2 the time. I would like to think that if I did own a 35 CB I would anchor out more.

[Veebyes2]

Boating is a bit different here in Bermuda. There are no destination marinas with restaurants etc. We don't get onboard our boat unless we will be on it for at least 24 hours. For us it is anchoring out or on a mooring somewhere. Up until 2 years ago we would do 35-40 nights a year.

A typical weekend would always be rafted with at least 2 other boats. Quite often the raftup looks like this.



or this: Find the Albin

[jcollins]

Find the Albin - Too easy. Just look for the happiest boater!
What type of boat is Miss Sandy? Looks almost Chesapeake style.

[Veebyes2]

Miss Sandy from another angle. New Years Day a couple years back. Helluva way to spend New Years Eve!



A Sabre 42 express. Cruises at 26kts. Top speed near 35kts. Simply georgeous boat.


What!!!! nobody noticed that the boats in the top pic were neither anchored or attatched to the mooring????
Sometimes when we want to change locations we are just too lazy to break up the raftup. Make sure all springlines are tight, start up outside boats in the raftup. Now you have a very wide single boat. All it takes is communication between the two skippers & trust. We were about the pick up the mooring in front Veebyes.

[Mariner]

Not a Command Bridge owner, but the Express Trawler is about the same size, etc... I would say it's about 60/40; in favor of anchoring out in the summer, and in favor of marinas in the winter and spring. The problem with anchoring out in the winter or spring here is the rain. You end up spending all your time cooped up in the cabin, which gets a little boring. If your at a marina, it's no big deal to step off the boat and walk up to a restaurant or bar, or go shoppping or whatever. But in the summer, it's all about remote destinations. However, we still like to stay at the marinas every few nights just for the conveniences and the opportunity to stock up on more supplies. The 36' Express Trawler is a little light on storage for things like food, and the refrigerator is a little on the small size.

[jcollins]

What!!!! nobody noticed that the boats in the top pic were neither anchored or attatched to the mooring????
A typical weekend would always be rafted with at least 2 other boats. Quite often the raftup looks like this.

I assumed it was the Bahamian Drift. Or, I didn't drop the anchor, I though you did!!???

Didn't even notice.

[Jeff Lavallee]

This may be a dumb question, and I think the answer is no- but do any of you leave your boat while at anchor? Sounds like bad seamanship, just thinking about the remote locations that Mariner is talking about and wondering which one of the explorers gets stuck with anchor watch?? Hopefully not the Captain

[Veebyes2]

We leave ours on anchor unattended all the time. Sometimes just for a short while. Sometimes for hours. Trust your anchor & your skills at using it. The boat does not think "Ah Ha! I can escape now."

[Pitou]

jeff, Not to worry, but concern is good. With good ground tackle including a fair length of chain I have never broken anchor in 35 years though I often do return to the boat for a tide change if anchored in an area of swift current. Why, a worried Admiral and peace of mind. The funny thing is we experience plenty of tide changes in the middle of the night that no one gets up for . Be sure your rode consists of a swivel attached to the anchor and my preferance of 30 ft. of chain and then your rope rode. That chain makes a huge difference.

[Veebyes2]

I'll second the chain. Rule of thumb for me is whatever the boat, have about a boat length worth of chain. No worrys.