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SportsBoat_F7G10.book Page 181 Wednesday, June 14, 2023 9:23 AM

Operation

Anchoring (6) If the anchor is stuck on the bottom, try
this: Let out a few feet of anchor line and
WARNING
secure the line to the boat, again. Slowly
Always anchor from the bow. Anchoring maneuver the boat around the anchor
from the stern will make the boat un- until the anchor pulls loose. Keep the line
steady. A strong current can pull a stern- taut during this procedure.
anchored boat underwater.
Crossing wakes and swells
Select an anchor appropriate for your boat
You will not always have flat, smooth water.
and water conditions. A “Danforth” (or fluke)
There will be swells and wakes from other
type anchor is suitable for most applications;
boats, etc.
your Yamaha Boat Dealer can help you
The best way to cross wakes and swells is
choose an anchor.
with the least jolt to you and the boat. Small
(1) Make sure the anchor line is securely tied
swells are not as difficult to cross as larger
to the anchor and to the bow eye or a
swells or wakes. Crossing a sharp wake gives
bow cleat.
more of a jolt than a broad swell.
(2) Move the boat to the spot where you
want to lower the anchor, heading the
boat into the wind or current. Stop the
boat, and then lower the anchor until it
hits bottom.
(3) While keeping tension on the line, slowly Sharp wakes
back up the boat until you have let out
line that is 4–6 times the depth of the wa-
ter. For example, if you are anchoring in
10 feet of water, let out 40–60 feet of line. Broad swell
Secure the line.
(4) Pull on the line to be sure the anchor is To cross a wake or swell, change your speed
holding. Also, periodically check your and choose the angle at which you cross the
boat’s position against the shoreline to wake or swell. Usually, a slower speed and
make sure it is not drifting and dragging “quartering” the wake (crossing at an angle)
the anchor. Reset if necessary. will reduce the jolt.
(5) To pull in (“weigh”) the anchor, start the Two other things you may notice. The first is
engines and move forward, keeping ten- that crossing a group of wakes or swells is
sion on the line as you pull it in. When the not as easy or smooth as crossing just one
anchor line is straight up and down, pull wake. The second is that when you quarter
hard to lift the anchor from the bottom the wake or swell, the boat will try to steer
material. away from the wake or swell. When crossing
at a 45° angle, you may not notice this, but at
a smaller angle, say 10°, it can be very strong.
Be prepared to steer and balance as neces-
sary.

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