But to anchor, you need to know how to manoeuvre correctly, which is one of the trickiest things to do, whether you're going to stay there only for a little while or for the whole night.
The first phase is the preparation, which means you have to find a site with plenty of space around it, with a safe swing circle and a sandy seabed to prevent the anchor dragging. It’s especially important in Ibiza and Formentera to make sure that the seabed is not a Posidonia bank which, as we explained in an earlier article, is an underwater treasure protected by UNESCO.
The second phase consists in pointing the bow of the boat into the wind and stopping it. This is the time to carry out a series of checks: the depth using the echo sounder, the anchor ring and shackle pin, that the windlass is working, that the anchor chain is attached to the boat, the fairlead, etc.
The third phase consists in dropping the anchor, releasing the chain between 3 and 4 times the distance shown by the echo sounder from the seabed, and up to 5 or 6 times if there is a lot of wind. It’s very useful to have the chain marked every certain distance, to help calculate the metres released.
With a headwind and a minimum cruising speed, position the boat in the chosen spot, bringing it to a halt by putting it in into reverse until the anchor digs into the sand, and then switch off the engine when the boat stops dragging.
And finally, it’s a good idea to ensure that the chain is aligned with the anchor and always in contact with the bottom.
Correct anchoring manoeuvres will ensure you have a fantastic and relaxing experience surrounded by nature, enjoying the grandeur of the sea and the Ibizan landscapes.
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