Short Scope Anchor Test

Don't let short scope claims lead you astray from sound tactics.

By
Darrell Nicholson
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0
Even in a crowded anchorage, resist the temptation to anchor on ultra‑short scope; our tests show that once the rode lifts and the lead angle creeps past about 8 degrees, holding power for most anchors falls off a cliff. (Photo/ Mahina Expeditions)
In the process of our ongoing investigation on the effect of time and wind gusts on anchor setting and holding capacity, we performed limited testing at short scope and couldnt help but notice that holding capacity at short scope varied greatly. When recovering the test anchors, some anchors would lift out of the bottom while we were pulling the dinghy over to them, while others required heroic efforts even when the rode was nearly vertical.
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Darrell Nicholson
Darrell Nicholson
https://darrellnicholson.com/
Darrell Nicholson is editor emeritus of Practical Sailor. He is a longtime liveaboard sailor and has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans. A winner of dozens of writing awards in disparate genres, he currently edits Marine Electronics Journal for the National Marine Electronics Association. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license and sails his S&S-designed Yankee 30, Opal, out of St. Petersburg, Florida. He can be reached at darrellnicholson.com.

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