April 17, 2016
Yep, less than once per year. That’s how many times we’ve used a stern line on this cruise. The first one was at Hiva Oa where there were too many boats crowded in too small a space. Next it was Bay of Islands in Fiji where there was a bommie that limited our swinging room. And yesterday, at Tawhitinui, it was a deep bay with a steep slope near the shore. Here…
Cyndi has asked me why anyone would want to put out a stern line. Her question was prompted by the guide book she’s using. It seems the author believes that you need to put out a stern line (most often, tied to a tree) in almost all the bays in the Marlborough Sounds. This is the first time we’d felt the need.
I guess in answer to Cyndi’s question, it’s used to limit the boat’s swing to avoid obstacles, such as the shore, rocks, bommies, or other boats. I am guessing that the author is mostly concerned about other boats. That’s not been a problem for us as we are cruising this area after most locals have left the water and gone back to “real life.” We also try to pick bays without other boats.
I am not entirely sold on using a stern line or anchor in most cases. I worry about the way it increases the strain on the anchor should the wind come from the beam. According to my possibly erroneous math, just 500 lbs. of wind force on the beam would produce about 1,250 lbs. of strain on the anchor, and the same on the stern line. (that’s assuming 20′ deflection and 100′ of anchor chain.)
Sorry to ramble on. This post was mostly an excuse to use the above picture of Legacy in yet another idealic bay! -Rich
