Stern lines

[Nzgrant 19]

Looking to cruise the fiords and sounds so the subject of running sternlines to the shore has come up. My query is how long and what size for a 42 ft yacht. Also do you just coil them up and hang them somewhere when not in use or is there a really efficient way to store them for easy deployment?

[Island Time 1,284]

Boats that do it a lot often use hose reels for storage. Use a polyprop line, because they float, and you can tow them ashore with the dingy. You can't tow a sinking line far...

I used to have 2x50m 14mm lines for a 40 ft boat, when we did this often.

[eruptn 103]

Been long enough to go from the boat, around something secure and back to the boat really helps.

Yes to floating also ... a must

[Island Time 1,284]

Yep, but the fiords are (like the sounds) usually very steep to, so you can get in really close. We used to often be with 2-5m of the beach/rocks...

[mcp 34]

Yep, but the fiords are (like the sounds) usually very steep to, so you can get in really close. We used to often be with 2-5m of the beach/rocks...

 

What scope would you drop your anchor at? 

 

Actually,  could you describe the technique for stern too in a anchorage like this?

[wild violet 38]

Take some lengths of chain down to secure around rocks,saves your ropes chafing,I used to store rope in old sailbags.we used 2 old anchor ropes both 100 meters long.

[Island Time 1,284]

A couple of bits of chain or wire rope is a good addition, but I dont like anchor ropes - they normally sink, and are very difficult to pull out with a dingy. Floating ropes are heaps easier.

Method. Look at the chart and sonar (fwd scan is great for this) and pick a likely spot. Approach it and select likely stern line points. We carry 110m of chain, and would often drop anchor about 60m or so from the beach,  put out about 60m of chain, then approach the beach, lower the dingy, and take the stern line ashore. Put a line around a tree or rock, (we like trees) - take the line back to the boat so you can cast off from aboard if you need to. A single stern line is often all you need, but 2 well spaced is better and controls the boat position more. Then, watching the depth under the rudder, allow for the tide and any sea state (usually calm if you are in the right spot), and pull the boat in as far as you can. Pay out or adjust the anchor chain as required. As the anchor is pulling uphill, the scope is not so critical. Also, as you are anchored stern to the hill/mountain to weather, the stern lines take the most load, unless there are large side gusts. 

Often, when the weather was bad, we found that if you were sufficiently close in to shore, the gusts would go over the boat, and hit the water a boat length or two in front, missing us almost entirely.

Then there is the story of the tree we were tied to being blown down... but that's for another time.

[DrWatson 382]

 

Then there is the story of the tree we were tied to being blown down... but that's for another time.

That could prove quite troublesome, I'm sure...