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Learn To Sail A Schooner No.2

Anchoring Under Sail Wind Aft

About SchoonerSail’s Learning To Sail A Schooner Articles

John, Trinovante’s skipper started writing these articles after some Trinovante Crew asked for more information on the fundamentals of schooner handling. None of these articles are invented theory. John has simply written about specific situations that have arisen. This article was written after anchoring in the River Colne in Essex, UK.

Seafaring is an ongoing learning process and John cautions against set piece manoeuvers. You need a plan but it needs to be flexible because things don’t always go according to plan.

Sail Training involves learning HOW to safely handle ropes, some basic knots and using winches among other things. WHY we need these skills is to be able to carry out manoeuveres under sail or power.

Full knowledge of the WHY is not essential. Dip into these Learning To Sail articles if you want.

Print Learn To Sail A Schooner No.2

Anchoring Under Sail Wind Aft

Image 1

With the wind and tide together it is usual to anchor by luffing up head to wind and tide and dropping back on the anchor. Occasionally we anchor with the wind aft (on the run) and use the anchor to turn into the wind and tide.
However, this requires both a good level of skill and co-ordination on the part of the

Sufficient sail is carried to maintain steerage way over the tide.
In this case gaff foresail and mizzen are enough.
The jib and staysail are down to keep the foredeck clear for the anchor crew.

Image 2

The helm is put hard over and the mizzen is sheeted so the wind will blow the stern around and maximise the rate of turn.

The anchor is not let go until the turn is started.

As soon as the anchor touches the bottom the boat starts to pivot round it.

Image 3

We don’t want the anchor to get too good a hold in the seabed until Trinovante is well into the turn so initially only a short amount of chain is veered before the brake is eased on. About two times the depth of water. As a general rule any less than 2:1 and the anchor will trip.

The rate of spin increases dramatically but there will be no sudden snatches if the timing of the manoeuvre has been right.