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Helpful know-it-alls - anchoringDecember, 2001. Ensenada, Mexico. We'd been here for a couple of days and were enjoying our second visit in 12 years. About dusk a powerboat - a Grand Banks 32, I think - entered the anchorage. They wandered around and then got on the radio and asked for advice. The young singlehander on the older sailboat next to us came back immediately with lots of helpful advice and directed them to the "only safe" place to anchor. The next day the wind came up and the Good Samaritan began to drag. After watching his unsuccessful efforts to reanchor, it became abundantly clear he didn't know a thing about anchoring. So, I ran over in our dinghy to give him a hand and a few tactful suggestions about putting out a little scope before setting the anchor, and to do it gently. We got him sorted out and chatted a bit. Me: "Nice boat, how long have you owned her?" Singlehander: "I just bought her a couple of months ago, she's my first boat." Me: "Been cruising long?" Singlehander: "Nope, this is my first time sailing outside San Diego Bay. I just arrived in Ensenada a couple of hours before you did. It's the first time I've been to Ensenada, and the first time I've ever anchored!" Sheesh. He knew nothing about anchoring, and was completely unfamiliar with the anchorage in Ensenada, yet he was quite happy to play the expert and tell the (also obviously inexperienced) crew of that Grand Banks what to do... So, keep in mind that Good Samaritan giving you such helpful advice may know a whole lot less than you do, and could easily be giving you bad information. Also keep in mind that if you get in trouble, it'll be your responsibility, not his. Always be skeptical of advice you receive from parties you don't personally know, and make your own decisions.
December, 2001. Ensenada, Mexico. We enjoyed our stay. The people were nice, lots of stuff to see and do, reasonable anchorage. Too many people just check in and then rush south, seeking greener pastures, but it's worth staying in Ensenada for a week or two. |
