swinging at anchor

[km1125]

To really stop it, you need to set two anchors. One set on the bow, as normal, and one set on the stern holding the stern into the wind or current.

You can think of your boat like a big pendulum. The wind or current is the "gravity" that would normally motivate a pendulum. The boat is going to oscillate around the pivot point, just as a pendulum would. If you put two anchors on the bow then you're shortening the length of the pivot point, but not eliminating it. By putting one on the stern, you're eliminating it.

Setting an anchor on the stern though, comes with risk. If there's any risk that the wind (or current) will change direction, then you want that stern anchor to break free so that your main anchor (which should be considered your "storm" anchor) will hold the boat so you never go adrift. If the stern anchor needs to break free, you want to know that it won't foul your props.

So the first consideration to resolve the issue is evaluating the wind or current, and how it might change for the duration of your anchoring situation. THEN you can figure the best way to stop the swinging.

[bud37]

I know it's an old post, but just a reminder. In any anchorage, you need to anchor the same as all the others that got there before you..... If they are swinging then that is what protocol dictates, for safety sake. One thing to note is that different boats hunt around at anchor at different rates, all things to be considered especially if any weather is expected.
Setting two anchors spread off the bow helps slow things down as well , but interesting on any day with big wind shifts.....
If possible, stern in close to shore with a stern tie to shore is the least stressful IMO.