Take the weather forecast
I know you've been told that before. Before you leave, you have to make sure there's no gale warning in progress. Okay, but right now we need to find an anchorage sheltered from the wind for as long as we want to stay.
If the wind is from the northeast and is forecast to shift to the northwest, a sheltered anchorage should protect you from both wind sectors at the same time. The topography of the coast will help you determine this.
1 - Anchoring protected from winds from NW to E
2 - Exposed anchorage with winds from NW to NE
Second element to be taken into account: the wave sector. The swell comes from the open sea. Coming from distant storms it does not always have the same direction as the wind. An anchorage sheltered from the north-west, but open to the south-west will not protect you from a swell of... southwest swell!
Consult the map
In addition to the configuration of the coast, you will find a particularly useful element: the nature of the bottom. Your anchor will hook very well in the sand or a not too soft mud. On the other hand, a seaweed or flat rocky bottom is generally not very stable. However, maps do not specify the shape of underwater rocks.
The regulations: on your map, if it is up to date, you will find restrictions to navigation. In some areas, it is forbidden to anchor for various reasons (underwater cable for example). So it's best to worry about this beforehand.
Search for testimonials
Coastal pilots sometimes provide additional information on anchorages. They can tell you if the swell goes around a certain point, or if the sandbank is used to move with the currents.
Some applications, such as Navily, record the testimonials of other boaters regarding the interest and safety of anchorages and harbours . It is not a question of taking these opinions for truths, but by crossing them with the previous information they are good decision aids.
Now sleep well at anchor!
