Little Hooker Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 (edited) Hey raiders, im kinda new to boating and this sence but ive had a issue with my boat for awhile now and its really gettin to me. Most times i drop a anchor to fish my boat seems to swing left to right , right to left. Is this normal ??? Am i lettin out to much or not enough line?? Or is it my design of the boat where the cabin acts like a sail so the winds pushes it around? I have a aluminum 5.3 half cabin boat with 4meter of chain with a plow anchor. Would a sea anchor help stop this swing?? Tho i really dont want to have one as i fish alot and wouldnt want any tangles from it. Any advice would be lovely.. Edited December 25, 2007 by Little Hooker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 It's not uncommon for a boat to move around especially if the wind is from one direction & the current is from another. The only way to stop the boat from swinging is to have an anchor both at the front & out the back. Generaslly speaking , a bit of swing does not make any difference to the fishing Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big-Banana Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Generaslly speaking , a bit of swing does not make any difference to the fishing Geoff Disagree there, we generally fish with one anchor and then a drogue on the back and with that setup we usually keep side on to the current allowing us to set more lines. A spot we fish off Terrigal is one where you'll catch fish if its blowing NW but as soon as the NE swings us around you won't catch anything because you've drifted off your mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Hooker Posted December 24, 2007 Author Share Posted December 24, 2007 No it doesnt make a differents when fishing but its jus annoying. Well its good to hear but its normal to swing. I jus have to live with it i guess. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djmac Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 try a little less rope mate. the more rope you have out the more you will swing as you arent as direct on the anchor. basically drop the anchor and get enough rope to get to the bottom and secure your boat. then try 2 or 3 handfuls of rope extra. certain conditions will require more rope out etc. you will learn this over time with experience. just be careful sometimes on a short amount of rope you are more prone to pull anchor. so keep an eye out. Col Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Hooker Posted December 24, 2007 Author Share Posted December 24, 2007 hey col, I give that a try next time when she is movin around. thanks for the tip I use a electric anchor winch so i tend to jus let out line to what i think is right. Ive read that i should let out 3 or 2 times the lenght of the rope to the depth of the water your anchoring in??? I was thinkin to measure my anchor rope and mark it every 5meters so gives me a indication on how much rope is let out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choad Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Disagree there, we generally fish with one anchor and then a drogue on the back and with that setup we usually keep side on to the current allowing us to set more lines. A spot we fish off Terrigal is one where you'll catch fish if its blowing NW but as soon as the NE swings us around you won't catch anything because you've drifted off your mark. what's a drogue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishguts Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 (edited) what's a drogue? its like a little parachute sea anchor... like the the little one that goes out before the main chute when skydiving..only underwater of course.. sits on or near the suface!.. ..cheers!..stevo!.. Edited December 24, 2007 by fishguts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caine Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 i just wanna check that you dont raise your engine out of the water when at anchor??? sound silly but its important to have your engine down and straight. cause it acts like a rudder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Hooker Posted December 25, 2007 Author Share Posted December 25, 2007 (edited) Canies, My motor is down in the water but i have notices that my motor doesnt sit in the middle, the current normally pushes it to the left of right. I do try and keep the motor centered but sometimes the water is to strong and pushes it left or right. Edited December 25, 2007 by Little Hooker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caine Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 (edited) Canies, My motor is down in the water but i have notices that my motor doesnt sit in the middle, the current normally pushes it to the left of right. I do try and keep the motor centered but sometimes the water is to strong and pushes it left or right. if the current is moving your outboard on your 5.3 half cabin boat left and right, then you have bigger problems. this should not be happening! check it out.. you must be bumping the steering wheel in your travels or you have other dramas note the current doesnt make you swing the wind does or when there not working together all good suggestions above just thought id throw in the engine one also Edited December 25, 2007 by CaineS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choad Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 its like a little parachute sea anchor... like the the little one that goes out before the main chute when skydiving..only underwater of course.. sits on or near the suface!.. ..cheers!..stevo!.. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Hooker Posted December 25, 2007 Author Share Posted December 25, 2007 In this case how tight are the steering cables on a outboard motor?? If usin the steering wheel should it feel abit tight or jus loose when in the water?? Im goin for my 100hr service soon i might tell them to check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caine Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 In this case how tight are the steering cables on a outboard motor?? If usin the steering wheel should it feel abit tight or jus loose when in the water?? Im goin for my 100hr service soon i might tell them to check it out. different on different set ups. but i have never seen a largish engine that can be knocked around by the current. your boat will always swing when its windy but sorting this out might make it a little bit better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Hooker Posted December 26, 2007 Author Share Posted December 26, 2007 Sweet i will give all this tips mention in this topic i shot next time im in the water. Fingers cross i can in peace. thanks heaps to the ppl that replied Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagoon Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Remember... if it doesn't swing, it doesn't mean a thing! Seriously, one thing i do when im stopped and fishing, either drifting or anchored, is i put the engine in gear so that the prop doesn't spin in the current. Lost a bugger load of fireline around a prop not all that long ago - once it catches, it will wind as much as it can onto itself, the smart-arse... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigholio Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 ...with a name like 'Little Hooker' your boat is always going to swing. At least while it's on the job! Maybe something a touch more subtle such as...'Human Resources'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Hooker Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Paint_stripper You have a very good point!!! i have lost a few fish on the prop and the time spent with lines lost to undo that thing!!! Jigholio I dont mind abit of swing but not on my day off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 ...with a name like 'Little Hooker' your boat is always going to swing. At least while it's on the job! Maybe something a touch more subtle such as...'Human Resources'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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