Finding unmarked anchorages
The examples shown on the previous pages are marked as anchorages on some charts but many unmarked ones are to be found around the world. One of my favourites is in the Gulf of Volos, between the Sporades and mainland Greece. We were there recently with a forecast for fresh winds from the south-east. Our intention was to anchor on the lee side of Nisos Palio Trikeri in Sofia Cove, a double-headed bay that one of our pilots assured us was eminently suitable, being well sheltered from this direction and with good holding.
Our finding was quite different, however, as although well sheltered, the bottom seemed to comprise thin layers of sand and weed over rock that was unable to sustain our normal anchor holding test of 2500rpm astern. We tried in half a dozen places in both bays but the result was always the same – up to 2000rpm all was well but at 2500rpm, equivalent to about wind Force 6, the anchor dragged and retrieval brought up large clumps of weed. Eventually we decided reluctantly that the only option was a six-mile beat into Force 5-6 to the far side of the gulf, where we would be in the lee of the Trikeri peninsula. As we sailed past the tiny port of Palio Trikeri we could see that shelter there was not great, and in any case it appeared to be fully occupied with other boats. Continuing onward, in a few minutes a saddle in the land on Cape Trakhili opposite became apparent about a mile away, with all the appearance of a small beach that had the look of a potential anchorage. Diverting slightly we headed over to investigate.
As the path on our plotter shows, we initially looked at a bay slightly to the south-west of the more obvious one but the second appeared far more promising. The seabed was sandy close in, although some weed was evident in deeper water. Protection from the chop was perfect and the wind seemed lighter. We anchored in about 3m and spent a peaceful night. The anchorage is not shown in either of the pilots we carry.
Conclusions
Although anchorages shown in pilots and charts are most welcome in normal prevailing conditions, it is perfectly possible to find others when conditions are not average, by examination of the terrain or the chart. It may be that what looks suitable is not, due to rocky or weedy seabeds, unusual swell or, as has happened to us, a very loud rock concert and dozens of speedboats, but you can be lucky and convert an uncomfortable night into a peaceful one.