How to anchor better

A If the sound of the chain rumbling across the bottom keeps you awake at night, add a short length of line across a bight of chain to silence it.

B In livelier conditions the boat can sail around and then catch itself violently at the end of the chain. This could displace the anchor, so you need some form of shock absorber.

C Here, a nylon snubbing line is attached to the bobstay fitting. This also reduces the anchor pulling angle.

D Others prefer a snubbing bridle, which is also used to transfer the chain load from the windlass to the sampson post.

E In strong winds some skippers use a very long, thin nylon line that will stretch by 20 percent attached with a hook, shackle or rolling hitch. If there’s not much room you can take it along the deck, although be sure to protect it from chafe.

F With plenty of swinging room let it out well ahead of the boat.

G If a snubber and the catenary of the chain don’t calm the boat down, try rigging a storm jib up the backstay to act like a mizzen steadying sail. This should keep a more constant pull on the anchor cable and reduce her slewing around.

H If a blow is forecast, you might have time to lay out two anchors. If that’s not possible, just dropping a second anchor under the bow can act as a drag weight to slow the boat from sailing sideways.

Dick Everitt has sailed thousands of miles in various parts of the world. He has been an illustrator, journalist and engineer for more than 40 years