Anchoring Mooring

Anchorage Tactics for Sudden Storms

On August 18, a sudden, violent storm ripped through the island of Corsica, packing winds up to 140 mph and tossing once safely moored...

Setting Up Your Own ‘Floating’ Genoa Lead

When setting up a floating lead system, you need to establish the maximum range of positions you may need. With a track system, the...

Checking Rope Strength

We like nylon for docklines, anchor rode, and chain snubbers because it stretches, absorbing jolts that would otherwise be transferred to the boat and...

Anchor Trip-line Tricks

An anchor trip line is a stout line connected from the after end of the anchor fluke to a marker buoy so that the...

Other Methods to Control Yaw

Yawing is the result of imbalance between windage (you want it aft) and underwater resistance (you want it forward). If the center of windage...

Drogues to Dampen Yaw

A leading cause of anchor dragging is yawing so vigorously that either the soil around the anchor is liquefied, or the anchor simply capsizes....

Advice on Buying a Pre-Owned Anchor

In the upcoming March 2021 issue of Practical Sailor, we take a closer look at the Australian-made SARCA Excel anchor, one of many quick-setting...

Mud Anchoring Wisdom

For as long as I can remember, and  probably for generations, it has been Chesapeake Bay lore that the longer an anchor soaks the...

Tips on Anchoring In Mud

Perhaps this seems like going back to school, but procedure can be critical in soft mud, and I’ll wager most old cruising hands from...

Bottomless Lockers Be Gone

Storage is a challenge on small boats, and my new-to-me Corsair Marine F-24 trimaran was particularly Spartan this regard. The skinny hulls provided minimum...

Hunter Legend 35.5 – Behind the Curtain

Are you interested in a 32-36 foot sailboat that's small enough to sail as a couple, big enough to sleep on comfortably, fast enough...