Give her a sheer

Wind-against-tide anchoring is always a potential nightmare. The problem is that the boat lines herself up with the tide, which places her more or less stern to the wind. She then begins sailing merrily up to her anchor and even over it. At best, this is uncomfortable. At worst, it plucks out the hook. If you can’t be bothered with two anchors and you own one of the increasing fleet of retro or even original gaffers, see below for the complete answer. If you don’t, your best bet is to give the boat a controlled sheer. Try lashing the helm to one side or the other. This steers the yacht across the tide and discourages the bad scene from developing. Even if she still gathers way, the fact that the boat tries to swing off to one side frustrates her ‘sailing’ and makes everything a little less fraught.