Renewed Anticipation

San Juan Islands, Thatcher Pass

Planning and preparations for a summer of boating, including packing all the necessary items like spare parts, provisions, and clothing can be a daunting task, but it’s the anticipation of new adventures and new friendships that beckons us forward with excitement and anticipation.  This year brings the added pleasure of conducting research and gathering updates for the Waggoner Cruising Guide.  We have also chosen some destinations less traveled that will bring new challenges for us personally. 

San Juan Islands near Blakely Shoal

Patches of blue sky and the afternoon sun made for a pleasant departure from Anacortes as we headed for the San Juan Islands.  Although small in comparison with the Gulf Islands further north, we never tire of the special magic and charm found among the San Juan Islands.  

Shaw Island, Blind Bay

One of our favorite anchorages is Blind Bay at Shaw Island, an easy two-hour jaunt from Anacortes with an average speed of 8 knots (except when bucking a 3-knot current in Guemes Channel).  Before venturing further afield, we wanted to test our new Rocna anchor for the first time in a relatively easy location for anchoring.  The Rocna is reported to hold well in a variety of sea bottoms from soft mud and hard sand, to clay, grass, and kelp.  

The Rocna Anchor

The Rocna design includes a ‘roll-bar’ that helps provide the correct angle into the seabed, and the ‘setting skids’ guide the fluke tip into the sea bottom for a quick set.  In fact, the User’s Guide warns not to back down too aggressively as the anchor will grab quickly and the resulting shock may damage equipment.  We arrived in Blind Bay around 5:30pm and were anxious to experience our first set with the Rocna anchor.  We dropped the anchor to the sea bottom and slowly backed down to lay out the anchor chain, avoiding creating a pile of chain or pile on top of the anchor. 

Rocna anchor set with added bridle

Following our normal procedure, we let out the appropriate scope and then tightened the clutch on the windlass, allowing the anchor to bite and then settle or drift slightly forward; another gentle reverse of the boat and we were set.  Indeed, we experienced a quick, positive set with the Rocna anchor instead of a dragging set with our previous Bruce anchor.  Now that we have a feel for how the Rocna sets, the real test will come when we have less than perfect conditions like wind and current.  As a matter of routine, we add a bridle to the anchor chain which lowers the attachment point, reducing the total depth calculation.  The bridle also helps absorb shock and dampens the grinding noise that extends to the bow roller.