How To Anchor Stern To (Sailing Virgins) Ep.07

We at Sailing Virgins are creating instructional videos on how to sail that aren’t lame! Join us as we travel through the Caribbean, Croatia, Tahiti, and more and show you the ropes, literally.
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We are the world's #1 sailing school for millennials-lessons, courses, classes in the Caribbean, Croatia, and Tahiti.
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In this episode:
Covid-19 update: we are suspending our sailing courses and will be shooting new episodes over the next two months. Please support us through Patreon! Support starts at $3 per episode. Thanks! / sailingvirgins
Anchoring stern-to can be daunting. However, if you are sailing in the Mediterranean and parts of the Caribbean, it is a great sailing skill to have.
The anchor-stern-to is one of the essential so-called Med Mooring techniques.
Being able to drop your anchor and tie your stern to a dock effectively can make your sailing experience that much richer and less stressful.
For the blog post see info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/h...
Summary of the anchor-stern-to. The key tips are:
Key tips from this anchor-stern-to method are:
1. Have your fenders on both sides, in particular the leeward side;
2. Try and keep things at right angles where you can;
3. When you secure your stern line, always secure the windward side first;
4. Have great communications between the person dropping the anchor and the person on the wheel;
5. Let out as much anchor chain as you possibly can.
Leave comments below and we'll respond! You can check out Sailing Virgins courses by going here: www.sailingvirgins.com/courses/
-----------Contents-----------
00:00 Intro
00:57 The Setup
03:33 The Lead-in
06:22 The Drop
08:51 Tying Up
Acknowledgments:
Thanks to Celine Freixe for shooting and editing the episode.
Thanks to Ford aka James and the rest of the dock staff at the wonderful Capella Resort in Marigot Bay, St Lucia.
Music cred : S3A - Bush (Sydji Remix) / sydji

[@toddjcollins88]

This is the best anchor stern to video I have ever seen. Well done guys.

[@andrewwilson9258]

The best stern to advice I've seen so far.

[@Jolie_sailor]

Great video. Totally agree with right angle approach.

[@Jakfilm]

Excellent tutorial, clear and concise. I soil myself when I think of anchoring stern-to; helps a lot to have a boat that's not plagued with prop-walk.

[@Royfile]

Excellent video guys. Love the way you break down and simplify all your video instructions 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@seansshorts5141]

These videos can be used at our sailing school.. Bravo lads

[@ProjectFreewheel]

We watched a lot of your how-to vids before setting sail, really helpful! Thanks!!

[@stefanknorsch]

Almost perfect conditions and a perfectly driven manoeuvre. So relaxed and calm, like it should be. Double thumbs up. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@LearnToSailMexico]

We’ve not had the need/occasion to stern tie, but looking forward to trying it out eventually! Usually lovely anchorages where it can be done

[@malimish]

Really great video on this topic. I just watched a bunch of med mooring videos and you guys definitely have the best one on youtube.

[@SailingVirgins]

Thanks for that! Very motivating for us to hear that. :)

[@captainmike808]

Perfect bit of instruction gentleman.

[@mmililo3881]

Chillin like a villain while manouvering 😂

[@meganote]

We’re gonna have to practice that! You guys make it look easy, but of course, with wind and current... it’s not always easy! It seems like it might be tricky to judge how far out to drop the anchor. Great videos!!

[@wievil]

That was fun and informative. Thanks guys!

[@gregsmith8617]

Excellent information in that video, superb! Thank you!

[@SailingABSea]

Nice easy explanation. Great editing. Thanks for sharing.

[@sierral.1675]

Great channel, and great it advice! Thanks for the awesome content!

[@CatioBoB]

Great job an love that you included a reef into the setting the main and not just haul up full

[@stinkypete2722]

Genuine sailing virgin here... I love these videos... Clear and concise.. This has helped my nerves more than you could imagine..!! So grateful.. Bonus is that your Aussies! Everyone loves the Aussies....

[@andregentil6602]

I have just seen all your "how to" videos and they are just perfect. The little tips are incredibly helpful and the drone views are amazing. Many thanks for the effort of putting such high quality material online for free. My wife and I will be sailing next week in St Martin and will put to test some of your advices! Cheers

[@SailingVirgins]

That's great Andre, we love hearing this!

[@RiggingDoctor]

Beautifully done!

[@dna194]

Beautifully done

[@jhemlow]

Flawless video! Amazing stuff!

[@andrewbell8837]

This will be my method! Simple, easy to understand. Nice to see the overhead shots. We are heading for the med tomorrow for our first yacht charter. It will take knowledge and lots of judgement to pull this off but I am confident my reversing is pretty good. Thanks guys, good one.

[@miarena111]

huh i just saw the complete oposite to this, lol. now this is a perfect video !!! thanks alot.

[@stefanmaix1803]

professionally done, highly instructive as well as incredibly entertaining. wish you would do more like this.

[@fastlink]

Love it. I am glad we don't have to do this kind of docking in America. I will be hitting every single boat on the pier.

[@wurtzi1221]

Great video. Competent and well presented.

[@edwardwerthner7717]

Living there for 9 months n knowing Ford ( great person) brings back my best memories . Stop in @ Doolittle’s n see David, also a happy Brit.

[@sololon]

Phew ... With such a strong lateral wind in such a confined space you have to be very skilled to moor like you did.

[@ketchingmy2ndwindonsvchops459]

Awesome video guys!! Well done!!

[@brucemcnair2]

Thanks guys. 👍

[@wulu473]

Great videos guys. I would love to see some spinnaker how-tos and tips on operating a dinghy with outboard. Keep it up!

[@SailingVirgins]

Cool, thanks for the feedback, we'll prepare a dinghy with outboard tutorial based on your suggestion!

[@markjennings2315]

I think you need a bigger wheel on that boat. LOL

[@sicklecell9999]

I'd bet that the Mega Yacht owners were very happy indeed to see a completely relaxed skipper at the wheel. sure beats the other scenario of two yahoos running around the boat yelling and throwing fenders overboard in all directions. Oh wait... that's me.

[@CEOsario]

Thanks, great job..

[@lakesidebc]

Production quality 10/10, content 10/10! I'm always impressed with your videos, keep up the great work.

[@SailingVirgins]

Thanks Paul!

[@fredcolvell9216]

Nicely done ✅

[@roger9453]

Great video!!

[@Nick-wd5fh]

You're channels gonna blow up soon I'm guessing.. quality content.

[@travelingtimothy]

Nice work.

[@davidv.2050]

Super informative!

[@BuenaVistaMar]

Fenomenal !!! I’m subscribed with yours!!!

[@SailingVirgins]

Great to hear!

[@denevs12]

Quiet a long drop. Ships will run over it in the lane. But you guyes look so relax and know what you are doing! Nice vid!

[@SailingVirgins]

denevs Thanks for your comment. Being anchor chain it stays on the bottom so it doesn’t get run over. If somebody lays their anchor over us then they need to leave before us. That happens a lot in crowded marinas but it can be managed. For instance in the little crowded harbor of Hydra in Greece it’s a daily occurrence. 👍

[@rickflippin1]

Nice job you are awesome

[@123boat]

Really great video 👍

[@mikefreauf6192]

great effort!

[@mgwaite10]

Really helpful

[@bouyant8659]

THANK YOU

[@GregCantori]

Super!

[@alaninglis1924]

Excellent demonstration of stern to, with very good explanations.i have been skippering charter yachts in the Mediterranean for the last 25 years and that is predominantly the method in most Marina’s apart from rafting sometimes three and four deep in crowded Marina’s. Eg Hydra on a busy weekend. Regards Alan Kiwi Skipper

[@SailingVirgins]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JohnnyHallSocietyDining]

Big coil, little coil. Genius!

[@Tittytotter]

Best Med mooring instruction video I’ve seen, really relevant tips on all these videos presented methodically that work well. Would you use the right angle method even with more room? Cheers 👍

[@svapricity5638]

Love it

[@SailingVirgins]

Thanks!

[@maxflight777]

Thanks ! 👍

[@jacktyler7599]

Ah, so it's a med moor without the med mooring lines. Nicely done. OTOH not all of us have a fin/skeg underbody, can turn on a dime or back straight under significant power.

[@evanbetter]

can‘t wait to see more from you - really great! Thanks a ton for sharing. A question: how do you handle ‚over anchouring‘ the neighbour‘s anchor? is there a know procedure for that? Thanks for any help on this.

[@georgecanakis1075]

Amazing thank you always wonder how its done. Cheers

[@phillipturner4945]

Riley would be proud.

[@JohnCarter-eg4ws]

First I must say ; great job ! All sailors ( most ) take great pride in their anchoring ability ,especially in difficult current vs.wind conditions.I hate to see Captains throw their hands up saying “ the tides’s going one way and the wind is going the other “ .Well then take in consideration both ,then make the appropriate corrections to get the boat docked.I have been a tug Captain for 22 years and have to dock ships and barges well over 300 ft.long everyday with every wind and current imaginable . My bosses tell me this has to go there, I really don’t have the option of throwing up my hands saying well the tide is going one way and the wind is going the other...lol

[@richard21995]

Brilliantly demonstrated and explained, thank you.

[@terrulian]

OK, well, being a nerd I was waiting for a mistake...but didn't find one. Well done. Suggestions: Docking stern-to with no help on the dock, and dealing with the situation you referenced, which is getting your rode across that of the next yacht.

[@guyten1968]

Just subscribed. Great vid. The way you guys doing it, it looks so simple. 1. Das the anker had to dig in, or do you only use the weight of the anker and chain 2. With all that chain is there no risk the boot will move backwards with high winds in the bow, 1,5m is enough to be in trouble.

[@mcskisport]

Really, as always, a perfect video, I love your professional explanations . But there is one more thing😂: You should demonstrate that the anchor must still be retracted to check whether it holds in the anchor ground. This is the „life insurance“ if the wind becomes stormy at night. So: stern lines loose on slip, anchor retract a little, maximum reverse with sufficient distance to the pier. If the boat stands under this maneuver, then give comfortable distance to the pier with some chain, tie stern lines. That‘s it 😊😉 Have fun, allways good winds and a handwidth of water under your keel.

[@akh21849]

from an "Amurican" ....lol yeah!!! nice! chuck it on the Barbie!

[@Zarih67]

If you want to be cheeky 😂 funny!

[@PomaloBudan]

HA! I found you before you blew up! Now when I meet you around mediterranean I'll give you a wave!

[@seanlehmann4235]

Great channel! Subs are going to balloon soon.

[@SailingVirgins]

Thanks Sean!

[@erickrauter9613]

You can say "Sailing Virgins" in whatever accent you want, most American's understand. But thanks for the clarification though. It's not like hearing someone talk with a mouthful of food you call a Australian accent.

[@SailingVirgins]

hahaha love it :)

[@erickrauter9613]

@@SailingVirgins Thought I'd keep it civil while lobbing one across the bow.

[@RPDCH1]

Thanks.....

[@SailingVirgins]

You're welcome!

[@scooptv9]

Great instructional video … QUESTION: @sailingvirgins Do you put a snubber on the anchor chain and tie it off to a clear? Thanks, J.

[@johnboyf-15vet51]

With that much anchor chain out , it obviously is in the channel, is that a problem if the super yacht leaves and now is motoring over your chain with those giant props and engines?

[@RiggingDoctor]

Three things: 1. Love the drone shot! 2. You have taken the fear out of Med Mooring for me. Thank you! 3. How much do they typically charge you when you Med Moor?

[@SailingVirgins]

That’s great, thanks! Mooring depends on the size and width of your boat, and where (and when) you moor. There are lovely little bays in Greece where you can tie up to the riva for free (because their restaurants get your business) and other bays (for instance in Italy and the more popular parts of Croatia) that can get super expensive.

[@keepingcalm6469]

@@SailingVirgins paid 80 € for a night for a 40ft lagoon in france.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Sailing Virgins were med moored in Almerimar, Spain (El Ejido area) for €21 a night. Pulling in here was much easier after seeing this video ;)

[@RiggingDoctor]

Keeping Calm ouch! We went as far as Mallorca and now we are waiting for wind to sail to Gibraltar and then across to the Caribbean where we can anchor for free again! ⛵️

[@SeriousStrategyGamer]

Enjoyed the presentation but you dropped pretty much over an across the anchor of the portside superyacht. Just pause at 6:18 and you can see your position and the direction of the anchor line (slightly towards windward)

[@neverstopexploring]

Are you putting a snubber on the anchor? If you nail the scope and end up this close to the dock there would be no room to add it. Alternatively, attaching the snubber at the end of the drop within this sequence would seem to make the whole maneuver much less smooth and put you at risk of a swing to leeward if it doesn't go right on with minimal interruption in the drop. Beautifully done video by the way.

[@maurizioferrario1949]

This is very useful. However since I mostly sail solo, can you give some tips how to do it if solo. Needless to say I can operate the anchor from the cockpit.

[@edby263]

"it's going to be on the bottom". Yup, done that.

[@mislavmajnaric9196]

Thanks for a great video guys❤. Do you know if I’m Croatian ports I would ever have to do the anchor stern or it’s always mooring stern?

[@goodstream]

Awesome video guys. What camera and mic are you using?

[@SailingVirgins]

That's a GH5 with a Rode shottie

[@RiggingDoctor]

We're heading into the Med this fall, Med-Mooring is not one of the things I'm looking forward to!

[@MarcFessler]

It's scary at first, but not bad once you get the hang of it. The main key is to go faster than you think. When going forward, the prop pushes water over your rudder and you can turn at fairly low speeds. in reverse, you have to get going fast enough to put water over the rudder. Also, depending on where you are, most places will have fixed lines so you won't have to worry about the anchor too.

[@krasate]

Could you possibly demonstrate the same maneuver but with strong side winds? Fast approaches from both sides with the possible use of free fall on the anchor? Thanks in advance.

[@saschabross]

Great video and I also agree that your explanation videos are one of the best, one quick question on when to stop the drop, what is a good rule? How much should be left to dig the anchor or when is tight to tight? Thanks!

[@SailingVirgins]

Hi Sascha, thanks for the question. When anchoring stern-to, we go by the rule "more is more". That is, the more anchor scope (aka chain) you have, the more holding power you will have. This is because of two main factors: the angle that your anchor itself is pulled is closer to parallel to the surface (ie. good), and more chain on the bed creates more friction on the bed, which is also good. We like to bridle our anchor, even during a stern-to, so as to take the load off the windlass. It's a bit of a knack to know when to start dropping, and sometimes you find you're three meters away with no more anchor (which means you need to re-lay), but after a while you get a feel and know when to start the drop, so as to maximise your scope. Hope that helps!

[@jamesdrumwright7591]

The mystery yacht was a Zeelander, 55 I think.

[@evariste1686]

Thanks guys, impressive. Any tips on how to get as perfect as this being solo? The main problem seems to be anchor drop timing?

[@JMan-24]

I’d like to know this as well. Nobody on the bow to drop the anchor and tie off the chain at the right time.

[@KelrCrow]

Do all the anchor chains stretched out in front of the various boats catch on eachother? How do you handle leaving if your anchor chain is under another boat's chain?

[@motorbiking18650]

Great video - one comment, having seen someone lose a toe, I wouldn’t stand in the anchor locker and I would be barefoot operating an anchor

[@snakeplisken4278]

Very impressive! How about tips for full keels with port side prop walk?

[@SailingVirgins]

Thanks! This technique works with heavy prop walks. In that case I'd suggest to pay attention to momentum; that is, don't be stop/starting in reverse. Once your speed in reverse is more than say 1/2 a knot, you have settled in and at that point the rudder has a lot more say than your prop walk. You just need to stay the course, and avoid at all costs any stopping/re-starting your reverse. Hope that helps!

[@humanbeing2009]

Was thinking the same thing! Forget doing that without a dinghy and throwing a little crosswind in there with a full keel. My Lyle Hess does what she wants in reverse no matter how cocky you are. I wouldn't even attempt this.

[@Beba-qv3db]

None of the knots you showed are in the library of correct ones..but that is ok😉. Yours works well too.

[@PrefersAnonymity]

@@Beba-qv3db That just depends on what side of the pond / world you learned your knot tying skills. All my friends from other parts of the world go around a full turn before making the bend. I don't disagree with them, sometimes I do it myself now and again. So just because they are not the way you were taught where you live doesn't make them not correct. Fair winds

[@sparkeyjones6261]

I've noticed based on videos, that this seems to be the most common mooring in some parts of the world. I'm curious about how people with the typical cruising setup with solar panel arches and windvanes exit their boats in these places? Certainly not from the transom. Do they need to use their dinghies every time they go to shore?

[@pocketcruisersailing]

Could you demonstrate the same with a strong wind blowing...Thanks

[@easy08154711]

The black lines are anchor lines. Downside, they are not swimming. Chances are, that the prop eats them.

[@rgicking]

what if the boat doesn't back straight like yours obviously does (presumed has a fin keel and spade rudder or some such..vs full keel with an aperture for the skeg hung rudder? ...advice?

[@supertorqued72]

Since you're using the anchor as a control while backing, how would the same thing be accomplished with a free fall windlass? My boat currently has a free fall windlass which means there's no control of speed when dropping the hook, additionally I shouldn't engage the gears on the gypsy wheel when chain or rode is splaying out.

[@lesliebasham4218]

Our preference is to NOT secure fenders on our life lines especially in between stantions which can slide when in use.

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

I’ve done this a few times. But doing it with my lovely wife ? That’s going to be another story. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@samholroyd9548]

Great info! Though common sense would say that by backing upwind, you'd be dropping anchor too far downwind to get yourself in a perpendicular position to the dock. I guess you have so much scope out that doesn't happen? You guys must foul each others lines all the time!!

[@SailingVirgins]

Hey Sam, that needs a bit of clarification. We back upwind, and drop perpendicular to the dock. You're right: if you drop too far downwind, you won't be perpendicular, which is why we don't do that. If there is strong lateral current or wind, then we still drop perpendicular to our target on the dock, but then we "point" the stern into the current/wind (to a degree), which makes the boat ferry-glide, and lays the anchor in a straight line. This is sometimes easier said than done. You can see ferry gliding to a small extent in the example. This results in a straight drop. We pretty much never foul lines doing this method. The only time we do is when we deliberately lay over someone who didn't lay straight. We then go and tell them what we've done and see who plans to leave first. Laying over is fine as long as the person "on top" (ie. last to come) leaves first.

[@theespjames4114]

I thought this was about putting the Anchor off the Stern? So the term Anchoring can simply refer to tying off? Thanks Newbie

[@florencedubost1999]

Sound explanations. Two comments: The anchorman Jack should have worn shoes. Throwing the lee stern line is not an example of how it should be done: the loose end loops should be thrown first and the ones tide to the boat next.

[@michaelkorvac4007]

It’s all very well but trying to dock a superyacht is bloody hard

[@artsyerthenu]

you had 5 meters of chain left... what would you have done if you were still 10 meters from the dock? getting that perfect is the hard part. that is why I prefer to have some rode as well as chain in case I need to make an emergency splice.. what do you guys think?

[@SailingVirgins]

Hi, yes it is a lot to do with getting a feel. If you start the drop too early, such that you don't have enough chain, then you simply need to head out and re-drop. Better to err on this side than to find that you have let out a short amount of chain and at 2am are woken by your bow resting on another boat (or even worse, an inadvertent alongside). We would simply say head out and re-drop, rather than involve any splicing, but hey that's more a matter of opinion than right & wrong. If you have so much chain out that you need to extend it with rode, then go for it - at least you have a good chance of decent holding.

[@duncanforrester6126]

Would you use a snubber line when staying overnight stern-to, to provide shock absorption and ease pressure on the windlass?

[@SailingVirgins]

Yes Duncan we do. Not so much for shock absorption (as the whole system is under tension and there is negligible swell) but yes, to ease pressure on the windlass. We actually did it that day, we just didn't show it on the episode. Nice work for pointing that out.

[@duncanforrester6126]

SV Thank you for your quick reply. These are great vids, very helpful reminders for the whole crew, especially the ones where we get memories of our trips to Bequia and SVG thrown in! Sincere thanks for making and sharing.