My Boat Works

Here are stories of anchoring well and poorly, with discussion of what worked and failed. I hope they’re both entertaining and instructive.

Here’s a little tip I’m constantly giving: How to fold a sail cover. I got this technique from folding saddle blankets and it gives a small, easily managed package that’s straightforward to put on and take off. Enjoy the video!

If you can’t retrieve your anchor, here are some ways you can coax it up anyway. More importantly, I’ll also show you how to avoid getting your anchor stuck or lost almost all the time.

Here’s how to do anchor well with other boats in an anchorage and happily for all.

Once anchored, here’s how to tell if you’re dug-in safely or if you’re slowly dragging. If the weather’s rough, it’s a great comfort to be able to check your position and know you’re safe or that you need to re-anchor before you are in trouble.

Here are techniques I use to stabilize boats at anchor, as well as a framework for understanding why and how boats rock and roll at anchor. Yawing and sailing at anchor are dealt with in the Rough Weather Anchoring article.

Here are methods I’ve used for years that work great for finding that sweet patch of calm water to keep your boat steady and quietly at anchor – Often when boats around are rocking and swinging wildly.

How to quickly and literally get a lay of the land under water, in your anchorage.

Why friction on woodworking surfaces is not only a drag but dangerous, as well as how to prevent working surface friction, increase your confidence in your woodworking safety and bring a ton of fun back to your woodworking.