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SportsBoat_F6B15.book Page 103 Monday, May 27, 2024 11:12 AM

Operation

(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. Sharp wakes
(3) While keeping tension on the line, slowly
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.
To cross a wake or swell, change your speed
(4) Pull on the line to be sure the anchor is
and choose the angle at which you cross the
holding. Also, periodically check your
wake or swell. Usually, a slower speed and
boat’s position against the shoreline to
“quartering” the wake (crossing at an angle)
make sure it is not drifting and dragging
will reduce the jolt.
the anchor. Reset if necessary.
Two other things you may notice. The first is
(5) To pull in (“weigh”) the anchor, start the
that crossing a group of wakes or swells is
engine and move forward, keeping ten-
not as easy or smooth as crossing just one
sion on the line as you pull it in. When the
wake. The second is that when you quarter
anchor line is straight up and down, pull
the wake or swell, the boat will try to steer
hard to lift the anchor from the bottom
away from the wake or swell. When crossing
material.
at a 45° angle, you may not notice this, but at
(6) If the anchor is stuck on the bottom, try
a smaller angle, say 10°, it can be very strong.
this: Let out a few feet of anchor line and
Be prepared to steer and balance as neces-
secure the line to the boat, again. Slowly
sary.
maneuver the boat around the anchor
until the anchor pulls loose. Keep the line Wake
taut during this procedure.
Crossing wakes and swells
You will not always have flat, smooth water.
There will be swells and wakes from other
boats, etc. 90˚
The best way to cross wakes and swells is
with the least jolt to you and the boat. Small 45˚ 10˚
swells are not as difficult to cross as larger
swells or wakes. Crossing a sharp wake gives
more of a jolt than a broad swell.

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