Anchoring and Moorage

Marina Home | Vancouver Island | Gulf Islands | Sunshine Coast

With the west coast of Canada being exposed to charging tidal currents and high winds it is a good idea to have a high quality steel anchor. The strength of the anchor is one factor but having the efficient amount of anchor rode is also important. A boater should reel out 5 times the depth of the water. For example, for 50 feet of water, a boater would want 250 feet reeled out. This equation is a safe bet to ensure an anchor burys and holds properly.

For setting anchorage on the west coast it is important to follow the tide tables. While anchored overnight it is even more important for a boater to know the low tides and also the high tides. No one likes to wake up with there boat floating away or moored on some rocks. Not many can afford any of those circumstances.

Anchors only work if they bury well. A dragging anchor along the ocean floor does very little to avaid midnight collisions. A safe measure after lowering the anchor is to back up before setting the hook. Once set, the boater should shorten up so you do not swing into another boat or roll onto rocks at low tide. An anchor takes hold over time by pulling and relaxing, also known as soaking.

When pulling into a marina, it is always important to tie up all ropes to the docks. Use strong sailing knots, even if only tied up for a short visit. The west coast tides have been known to take boats for a ride with no captain on board.