Anchoring for 10 weeks

Since I would be leaving the US for 2.5 months - two weeks in Mexico and 8 weeks in Ecuador - I wanted to make sure the boat would be safe. Many preparations were taken, such as making sure the bilge pump was working, the solar panel was charging the batteries properly, the skiff was ontop of the sailboat securely, the bow gear and cleats would withstand the stress of time and potential gales.

View of the Black Pearl as I paddled to the wharf Furthest out at East Beach, but still close enough so friends would be able to check on the boat, I dropped the 33lb Bruce anchor and 250 feet of chain - which is a fair amount for 40 feet of water during the summer. In case the harbor patrol had to tow my boat (knock on wood) and drop the anchor rode overboard, I left a few buoys handy. With surfboard and waterproof satchel in hand I jumped in the water and paddled back to the wharf, much to the confusion of the fishermen at the pier.


Early in my trip there was a scare. During the first week I was in Mexico, I had a bad dream about the boat (it disappeared!) and the next day I got a voicemail from the harbor patrol: "We got a report that your boat may be dragging, and you should come down here to move it." After a few phone calls, my friend checked out the situation and discovered that a powerboat had anchored right next to me; and had a bunch of anchor line hence was swinging around into other boats during calm times. They were there to watch the July 4th fireworks, and then left afterwards. Last I heard, my boat hasn't moved much, and continues soundly to this day, while I travel in South America.