Anchoring in the Bahamas, my story…

[LandLocked66c]

I was amazed how nerve racking it was to anchor while vacationing there recently. All of my experience has been on power boats in a fresh water environment with no tides and currents – obviously. We rented a boat from Elvis, the local Water Taxi guy in Georgetown. It was his secondary taxi and was branded as such with a huge “Water Taxi” on the side of the boat. It was fun and very un-eventful for the most part. But I did realize that anchoring is a big deal and that it made me very “not relaxed” when enjoying my cold beer at the Chat N Chill. I had a constant eye on the boat that was anchored just off the Beach. The winds were pretty constant that day and out of the south for the most part. So the boat stayed where it was supposed to. But I did notice that it was not in the same orientation to other boats at times. As I was contemplating why, the bartender yelled out “who’s driving the water taxi?”… I raised my beer from across the bar and identified myself. Then he says “raise the motor!”. I comply and wade out to the boat and take care of business. After that was done, the boat was always in perfect orientation to the other boats at anchor. So I have to assume that Elvis radioed the bartender when he saw his boat bobbing and either new it would straighten out with the motor raised or that he was concerned his motor would be beaten up in the shallow water if the winds shifted and put the stern to the beach? Probably both! Now I’m thinking, man I made a rookie mistake! But my experience in freshwater is there are no currents when anchoring so no need to raise the motor. I assume that’s what was going on, the wind and currents fighting to move the boat in different directions. Take the motor out of the equation and the currents play less roll in boat position. Is my logic correct? All in all, it was a great lesson. It makes me appreciate all the bigger boats that were squeezed together and anchored together just off the beach. And another thing I appreciate now – it’s nerve racking weaving through all you guys with a small boat, let alone a 40 footer! Sweet Jesus it got uncomfortable at times…

[chrisncate]

One hook, or two on a boat like that... ?

[CaptainForce]

Originally Posted by LandLocked66c

......................I assume that’s what was going on, the wind and currents fighting to move the boat in different directions. Take the motor out of the equation and the currents play less roll in boat position. Is my logic correct?........................…

'sounds like a correct assumption to me, but this would hold true if you were anchored among other relatively flat bottom power boats,- must be the case if you waded out to raise the engine. If you wanted to stay aligned with keeled sailboat neighbors, you'd do better leaving the motor down. Then, small boats clustered at a dinghy dock require the proper etiquette of keeping the damaging prop down or a bucket tied over the prop so you don't slice your neighbor's inflatable. 'bottom line,- you're absolutely right! Take care and joy, Aythya crew

[LandLocked66c]

Actually the picture I took illustrates what I was talking about! Engine was still down in this pic! Other boat is pointing into the wind, ours not so much...

[LandLocked66c]

Originally Posted by chrisncate

One hook, or two on a boat like that... ?

He only gave us one anchor. The boat didn't have one before that! Not sure a water taxi is usually anchored...

[chrisncate]

Originally Posted by LandLocked66c

He only gave us one anchor. The boat didn't have one before that! Not sure a water taxi is usually anchored...

, nice... maybe he uses disposable soy/salt based anchors...

[LandLocked66c]

Originally Posted by CaptainForce

'sounds like a correct assumption to me, but this would hold true if you were anchored among other relatively flat bottom power boats,- must be the case if you waded out to raise the engine. If you wanted to stay aligned with keeled sailboat neighbors, you'd do better leaving the motor down. Then, small boats clustered at a dinghy dock require the proper etiquette of keeping the damaging prop down or a bucket tied over the prop so you don't slice your neighbor's inflatable. 'bottom line,- you're absolutely right! Take care and joy, Aythya crew

Aha! Yes, with keel boats for sure. Didn't know the dingy etiquette, thanks for that! Boy that would ruin someone's day...

[FSMike]

The engine was touching the bottom.

[LandLocked66c]

Originally Posted by FSMike

The engine was touching the bottom.

No, the water was above my waste. We were in plenty of water.

[SecondWindNC]

Ohh, to be at Chat N Chill about right now ...