I really have developed a 6th sense for the safety of Namaste.
A strong squall rolled in this morning. I got up at 4:30 to find “PIM” a French boat just 5 feet off of my bow. Another minute or two and I would have lost the bowsprit. They have been here for a while dragging around the anchorage and got quite close last night. I shouted and whistled (Like I did last time they almost hit me), but once again they did not wake up. I let out and additional 100’ of chain and their anchor seemed to catch so all is well.
Namaste got a little kiss from my friends on “Moon Shadow” last week and luckily there was no damage. This is the second time my bamboo solar panel mounts have saved the solar panels. Moon Shadow’s Wind vane pushed up on my port panel, the bamboo mount released and it just rode up the rail without any damage. If I had “welded” mounts like most people I would have lost the panel.
Moon Shadow and Namaste kissed in windless conditions and were acting differently in the current. Namaste has a full keel and sets to current easily where most fin keeled boats and cats set to the slightest puff of wind. I always anchor a safe distance from boats and try to anchor near similar keel designs. The funny thing is Moon Shadow is a full keel boat as well, go figure. Namaste has been here the longest and I did think that both boats anchored too close to me. The funny thing with cruisers is, you can have a huge anchorage, but most people will come over and anchor right next to you. I still haven’t figured out this phenomenon.
I keep a GPS in the V-birth running all the time. I keep a close eye on Namaste’s track at anchor and know exactly where she’s going. The people on PIM accused me of dragging the last time, I invited them to come and take a look at my GPS track but they didn’t take me up on it.
At the end of the day all boats can drag drag, Namaste even dragged twice. The important thing is to be properly anchored (I use a 40lb plow (CQR type)) and have out appropriate scope (6 to 1). Use your motor to set your anchor and anchor a safe distance from neighbors. Also try to anchor near boats of similar hull and keel configurations. And if at all possible snorkel on your anchor to get a visual idea of what’s going on.
I may have found my next boat. I’m not going to talk about it in fear of jinxing it. But I’m sure everyone will agree it’s a fine boat.
Cheers everyone.
Peace, Love, and Coconuts.
Alex
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