Navigation guide
Choosing a sheltered anchorage
A good anchorage starts with reading the weather: position yourself where the land blocks both the wind and the swell — now and for the hours to come.
The principle: on the lee side of the land
You anchor on the leeward side: the land sits between the wind and the boat, and cuts off the chop. If the wind is from the northwest, look for a shore or cove facing southeast, protected from both.
Well placed, you're protected from the wind and the chop. But watch out for swell that can wrap around the headland.
Wind AND swell: two separate things
An anchorage can be sheltered from the wind yet still be exposed to swell that comes from farther away and wraps around headlands. Check both directions: the local wind and the open-sea swell may come from different sectors.
Anticipate the shift: an anchorage that's perfect at 6 p.m. can become untenable at 2 a.m. if the wind veers. Look at the forecast for the whole night before you settle in.
Example
A perfect anchorage in a tramontane (NW). But the model forecasts a shift to the southeast in the second half of the night: the cove will become exposed. From the outset, choose a shelter that holds up in both directions, or plan to move.
A few reflexes
- Avoid anchorages exposed to the sector where the wind is building.
- Keep a clear night exit in case conditions deteriorate.
- Watch for downslope gusts below high ground (katabatic wind).