Many factors can enter into this equation, full fuel and water tanks,
number of people aboard, tides and currents all will have some effect
on these numbers. This is provided simply as some guide to help in trip
planning.
ANCHORING
Blue Moon has a Main Anchor plus a spare for emergencies. The main
anchor breaker is in a small panel found just below the lower helm
wheel, port side. This will power up the UP and Down switches for the
winch at each station as well as the foot switches on the bow of Blue
Moon.
The anchor chain is marked at ___ intervals to help determine the
amount of chain that has been used. Under normal conditions you
should plan on a 3 to 1 scope, or 75 feet of chair in 25 feet of water.
Approach an anchorage upwind or into any current and bring the boat
to a stop or dead slow and begin to let out anchor chain. Drop the
anchor by depressing the foot switch or windless switch at helm
station. Let out chain beyond the depth of your anchorage by 10 to 15
feet. “Kick” the boat in and out of reverse while still dropping chain
until the minimum scope has been reached. Increase the scope when
you are in locations of heavy wind or current locations, heavy weather
is expected or other conditions may dictate.
“Set” the anchor by first allowing Blue Moon to come to rest as the
anchor and chain have been released. Then test your anchorage by
“kicking” into reverse again to ensure the anchor is holding. Do this
several times.
To retrieve the anchor and chain, Blue Moon’s port and starboard
engines should be started. The anchor windlass motor has a big draw
on the electrical system. There is a hose and nozzle in the port anchor
