CURRENT LOCATION: Anchored on west side of Lynyard Cay, Abacos, Bahamas
26 22.254' N, 076 59.013' W (
CLICK HERE for Google Maps)
From our anchorage here at Lynyard Cay, we have watched several other boats come and go. However, with at least 2 miles of anchor space along the eastern side, there has always been plenty of room between us and our neighbors (just the way we like it). Yesterday, while Sheryl was off collecting sea glass (note her cleaning and sorting her findings in the lead photo), and I was engaged reading a book in the cockpit, all of the other boats left. This is likely due to a strong cold front which is going to pass through the area tonight.
We have chosen to stay here, where there is good holding and there are no other boats. We are well protected from any ocean swell in this location. In addition, wind driven chop from the north through east quadrant is blocked by Lynyard Cay. Unfortunately, though, the remaining directions of the compass are open to anywhere from 1 to 3 nautical miles of fetch across the Sea of Abaco. And the waves, they do build up over time.
When we initially anchored here in strong east winds, we put out our CQR (backed up with the Danforth lunch hook in tandem anchor style). As noted in an earlier post, as winds were predicted to shift to the SSW, we deployed our Bruce anchor in that direction (in an effort to keep us from drifting too close to shore). Good thing, because as of this writing we have been experiencing 20-25 knots of wind out of the SSW throughout most of the day.
In an effort to reinforce the holding power of the Bruce, this morning I swam out and moved the lunch hook to the crown of the Bruce (again, a tandem anchor backup). Sheryl and I also added a kellet (we use a large ball of chain) to weigh down the rode near the bow of the boat, which keeps the rode angle low and serves as a shock-absorber in the waves. And waves have been building with these winds throughout the day. We are currently pitching with the bow moving up and down at least 3-4 feet in a rhythmic fashion, and winds are expected to pick up to 30 knots later this evening.
After the front passes us, sometime tonight, we should see winds shift to the NW at about 20 knots. Sheryl suggested that we assemble the Fortress and have it ready to go. I went one step further and suggested that we go ahead and deploy it toward the NW (leaving the rode a little slack). The Fortress has good holding power and the advantage of being very light. At about 20 lbs, I easily swam it out through the waves and planted it in the sand. Then I returned to swim the rode out and attach it. Sheryl set the Fortress firmly into the sand by cranking the rode around a winch; then she led the rode up to the bow.
If all goes well, we should be able to sleep through the wind shift, as the chain to the CQR goes completely slack,
Prudence glides over that rode, and the holding burden is gradually shifted from the Bruce to the Fortress. At least, that is the theory. In practice, we will set the anchor alarm to a small value and be awakened as the wind shift starts to take place.
Regardless, this is definitely a good learning experience in all aspects of anchoring. For the first time here aboard
Prudence, all anchors are in the water. Well, except (of course) for the dinghy anchor. Hmmm, I wonder if I should dig that one out of the locker, too?