T&T: Anchor watch

[Milt Baker]

I don't differentiate.  If the boat doesn't move more than about 40 feet, as far
as I'm concerned there's no problem.  But I do look out the window occasionally 
just to make sure!

A good idea I got from another Nordhavn owner is carrying a laser-operated 
rangerfinder like the ones golfers use to measure distance to the next hole.  
Aim it at a large object (like piling or another boat), press the button, and, 
voila, it gives a distance reading to that object.  When we anchor in the
afternoon, I usually jot down a few readings on the nearest yachts and the
closest shoreside objects.  Then I can check position with digital accuracy 
anytime I want. 

The rangefinder was especially useful in the Mediterranean, calculating
distance off a bulkhead or pier preparing to use my own anchor to Med moor.

--Milt Baker, Nordhavn 47 Bluewater, Fort Lauderdale

Frank Osborne wrote:

Anyhow, how do you differentiate between boat movement in different directions 
and possilbe anchor dragging?