· Where to stow the anchor, chain and anchor line? Our Shark doesn’t have an anchor locker in the bow; but even if it would have one: I don’t like the weight in the bow.

· My wife does not like to steer when I work with the anchor on the fore deck (crying misleading commands)

· Our outboard is a null in reverse, nearly useless when burying the anchor

Our anchor with chain and anchor line is stowed in a wooden box under the cockpit. The box has to be pulled out and put into the cockpit.

 

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· Start the motor, drop sails

· Turn the boat with wind astern; fasten the end of the anchor rope to the (port) stern cleat and slowly drop the anchor

· When it reaches the ground, slowly forward (caution: there will be a strong haul on the chain or the line, a glove would be nice!). Veer the chain or line accordingly.
This works best, if the helmsman stands backwards (back to the bow) with the tiller between his knees!

· The boat lady prepares the brandy

· When enough line is paid out, bury the anchor: cleat the line and let the motor work!
When I anchor for the night, I always test if the anchor is secure: go backwards some way and run the boat forward with 1,5 – 2 knots into the cleated anchor. If it holds, it will hold the night through as well!
But be careful and alarm the crew: there will be a severe jerk and everybody will sit down immediately (and harmfully) wherever he stands, the skipper included!

· Finally bring the anchor line forward and cleat it at the bow, the boat will swing bow to wind.