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Anchoring

Lille Ø is equipped with three anchors:

  • Rocna Vulcan 15 bow anchor with 40m of 8mm chain and 30m rope
  • Bruce 15kg stern anchor with 5m of 8mm chain and 45m of webbing line
  • Fortress Fx-11 kedge anchor

Bow anchor

Bow anchoring is used in most anchorages outside of Scandinavia.

Preparing to anchor

  • Check weather forecast and ensure that anchorage has appropriate protection (especially regarding waves or katabatic winds)
  • Check chart for appropriate depth and swinging room
  • Check other vessels for appropriate swinging room
  • Double-check chart data with depth sounder
    • If feasible, motor a circle around the assumed anchor radius while monitoring the depth sounder
  • Remove the safety shackle from anchor
  • Uncoil and prepare the anchor trip line
  • Prepare appropriate anchor chain on deck (about 4✕ depth)
  • Prepare for setting up anchor alarm (log into Signal K etc)

Setting the anchor

  • Approach the anchoring spot slowly towards the wind
  • Stop the vessel
  • Drop anchor until it hits the bottom
  • Enable anchor alarm
  • Toss out the anchor buoy
  • Start backing the boat and release chain slowly
  • Once the correct scope is reached, lock the chain
  • Let the anchor set for a short moment
  • Then start backing again, slowly increasing power
  • Check that the anchor holds (transits to landmarks, SOG 0kt when chain tight)
  • When setting anchor with engine, about 1500 RPM is a good number to reach
  • Pull up and re-anchor if the anchor doesn't hold

After anchor is set

  • Connect a snubber line to the anchor chain with a rolling hitch
  • Let out the snubber and chain until about 2-3m of snubber is out of the boat and cleat it
  • Set a chafe guard on the snubber
  • Let out about 5m more of chain so that it hangs loose and we're on the snubber
  • Hoist the anchor daymark with spinnaker halyard
  • Follow the after sailing checklist
  • Keep engine or the genoa ready for use in case of emergencies
  • Ensure that the Automatic Lights circuit is powered so that Signal K can turn the anchor light on as needed

Scandinavian mooring

Scandinavian mooring is anchoring with the stern anchor and tying the bow to land.

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