[C320-list] Stern anchor

[Donald Lawson]

Chris
We cruise Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel Island. Anacapa has no overnight anchorages.  Been Cruising/Racing them for over 20 years. The wind machine off Point Conception and storm generated swell can make things interesting in the Channel Islands.  The closest and easiest  is Santa Cruz, 18 to 30 miles offshore and it can get crowded with boats from Ventura and Santa Barbara.  Lots of fish and Dive boats also use the anchorages. We choose to bow and stern in the more popular and protected spots. Makes room to let other boats in. Many times my stern anchor has become my primary anchor due to wind shifts and has saved me from swinging into power boats on all chain further outside. Too little space and to many boats. Still a great sail across and back. We now go on Thurs and back on Sat to escape the crowd. 
Don #1005

On Jul 8, 2011, at 7:38 PM, Chris Nichols wrote:

> Sounds a little uncivilized to have to routinely bow and stern anchor.  Is this just because of lack of space in a great spot?
> 
> Chris Nichols
> Personal account
> 
> 
> On Jul 8, 2011, at 19:38, Mike Paris <mparis495 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Thanks Don. I had my stern anchor drag at Prisoners Cove when the wind shifted to the east during the night - two nights in a row.  We were bow & stern because the boats when we arrived were. I think I need more chain. 
>> 
>> Mike 
>> #734
>> Long Beach, Ca
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> On Jul 8, 2011, at 12:40 PM, Donald Lawson <dnclaws at aol.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Mike
>>> I sail out of Ventura(VYC) along with Wolfpack, another 320.  We both use about 70+ feet chain with 270' 1/2" rode. and 35 lb Delta plows on the bow. I am not are about Wolfpack's stern but I carry an F16 Fortress with 36"chain and 210' rode.  Any more and I can't get it up. I drop the stern first using a long messenger line to get all the rode out then drop the bow.  After set the bow I make sure the stern is also set.  I also have had the stern hook become the primary hook.  Scary when there are boats to seaward.  
>>> Don #1005
>>> 
>>> On Jul 8, 2011, at 3:55 AM, Mike Paris wrote:
>>> 
>>>> At the Channel Islands in southern Calif, we need to anchor bow and stern often. What anchor set up, for those of you that  regularly use a stern anchor,  are you using? Specifically, how much chain? I keep the stern anchor in a box on the shelf in the starboard lazarette at the stern and feed it directly from there under the rail. 
>>>> 
>>>> I had the stern anchor drag severely the other night when the wind shifted to the beam the other night. 
>>>> 
>>>> Mike
>>>> #734
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>