6/26/21: The Perks of Time on Anchor

Mark has always been a fan of cruising to an isolated bay or creek and dropping anchor for a day or two or longer. Initially I was less enthusiastic. Will the anchor hold? What happens if it lets loose in the middle of the night? For most newbie on-anchorites, those are probably the two biggest questions. What if?

Many years of boating under my belt, I am now a true-blue aficionado of hanging on anchor. There isn't another experience that compares. First, it is QUIET. Birdsong is the most common noise. Inevitably there will be a lovely sunset. For some reason, we have also seen more than our share of full moon risings while on anchor. You may share your water space with another boat or two, but they want the same thing you do. Privacy, quiet, space. It's doubtful you will ever feel crowded in an anchorage unless you choose it. Dinghy rides, swimming, sunning, eagle watching, grilling dinner and drinking wine on the aft deck. That's about as complicated as life gets on anchor.

As for feeling secure in the water, at the risk of jinxing ourselves, we have never had an issue with breaking free from our anchor. We follow standard guidelines for setting the anchor and letting out enough scope. We test it. Then we forget about it and sleep well. 

Our most recent time on anchor was two nights in idyllic Langford Creek off the Chester River. We could not have asked for a more perfect scenario. Moderate temps in the 70s, no humidity and calm water. We didn't see a single eagle on this trip but the sunsets were spectacular and we watched the full moon rise over the trees and the sky fill with stars. Pretty perfect.














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