Anchoring on a Lee shore

Basically this is one of the first rules of anchoring DONT do it, anchoring on a lee shore is not a smart move and frequently ends in disaster. On a recen tsailing trip to Thailand we anchored in a beautiful bay, having been there a couple of hours the swell started to build and I developed a bad feeling. The decision was made to move despite it now being being dusk and raining hard, setting anchor on the other side of the headland we spent a peaceful nights sleep, at first light there was an influx of yachts that were anchored in the first bay, many with tales of waking up only a short distance from the shoreline having dragged anchor. Those guys had lucky escapes, many of the Kings Cup regatta fleet were not so lucky, following a day on the regatta circuit the crews had stayed ashore and came back to the bay to find 6 of the fleet on the beach and a catamaran broken up on the rocks. Anchoring on a lee shore is never a good idea and if the weather turns you should have an escape route and safe alternative, personally I never feel happy leaving the yacht unattended and this unfortunate episode shows why. For more tips on anchoring technique click here

A taste of the Tropics

A couple of weeks ago we were at the mercy of a mini heat wave, what a difference a week makes. This week has comprised of light airs and torrential downpours with frequent squalls passing overhead. Currently in Thailand it would appear that there is little we can do to avoid the downpours and squalls. Whilst the temperatures have remained high, it is a very different weather pattern to that experienced last year. Hopefully the NE monsson will kick in soon and the great sailing will return, will be heading back to Langkawi this week and look forward to the challenges ahead.