first nite out on the hook
Now or never
Member Posts: 36 ✭✭
Well first note away from a dock let's hope all goes well lol probably won't sleep a wink
Comments
I know, on the hook, you almost always sleep with one eye open and one ear tuned. But it is a great way to use your boat. We anchor out quite often.
We eventually changed our anchor from the plow that comes with the boat to a Manson Supreme. What a difference. With that anchor I sleep much better.
Tony
Salt Shaker 342
Now or Never, we hope you had a good time and good weather. This has been our first season anchoring out on our new boat, we have done it for a total of five nights now and love it. We have already learned many new things including using a anchor watch ap down loaded to our ipad. We use Anchor Watch, it has a pretty loud alarm and is very easy to use.
Like others have said, nothing better than waking up to the sunrise and the cove all to yourself!
Tiki, that last photo is interesting with the sailboat so close to shore.
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Another anchoring piece of mind. We wired our garmin touch screen GPS to an external horn (from a Mercruiser bilge set). We set the drift alarm at the number of feet we want and go to sleep. Most GPS units have a drift alarm setting that will activate even when they are in sleep mode. If you have one (garmins for sure) that sound the alarm by opening a ground to the horn you will need a relay that allows less than 100 milli volts return. It's called a double pole double throw plug in relay. It can be purchased at Radio Shack p.n. 275-0206 for $10.00 Some wire to an acc switch at the helm, 20 minutes to install the warning horn and 2 minutes to program the Garmin and then (knock on wood) piece of mind. MT
Our trailerable 26' Hunter sailboat had a swing keel and kick up rudder so we could sneak into anyplace a powerboat could go. Finding the right anchorage for a peaceful night is a combination of local knowledge, research on google earth, calculating the weather, and knowing your boat n crews needs. Have a great time on the hook. MnK
- find efficient fans(be aware of the amperage for battery use overnight) that move some air.
- using a wind catcher to direct air into the cabin,
- anchoring stern-to with a bridle so that any light night time breeze is funneled in the cabin door
- picking an anchorage that isn't too sheltered to block all the air movement can make or break a night. On the other hand be aware of any expected wind changes/increases that the evening may bring.
- I generally prefer an offshore breeze so the bugs can't smell my yummy scent. Rum is a huge bug attractant.
- Get bug screens and coils to discourage a buggy night
There's more but have fun and don't give up. There will be challenges as you glean insight and work through the 1st few nights. Hope that helps, MikeI've also got two fans similar to Tiki 7 they do also run off of batteries as well as cig lighter (12V) or 120v. I have never left my genny run all night (just don't like to do that) & had some nights that were extremely hot. The fans do help a lot.
Don't give up! The best part of boating is anchoring out in your own spot for the night!
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
I hear you guys on tight spaces. Family of four on our 246 makes for tight quarters at night. The wife and kids get the cuddy and Dad stays in the cockpit to monitor. God bless Camper canvas. Just wish they would have made more than one zip down screen than the aft window. Makes getting a cross breeze impossible.