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Anchoring & Mooring

Draft — Know Before You Go

Draft: 2.4 m

Whistler's rudder tip draws 2.4 m (keel draws 2.25 m). This is deeper than most charter boats in the Adriatic. Always verify quay depth before berthing stern-to, and chart depth before anchoring. Croatia has minimal tide (~60 cm in the south, more in the north) — factor this in at low water.

When in doubt, ask the marina before you reverse in.

Anchoring

Choosing a Spot

  • Check charted depth — aim for 3–8 m for comfortable anchoring
  • Check the bottom type — sand or mud is ideal; rock and weed can be unreliable
  • Check wind forecast — you want swinging room for the worst expected wind direction
  • Check for underwater cables, swim zones, and other anchored boats

Deploying the Anchor

  1. Approach anchor spot heading into wind, slow to near-stop
  2. Take the Quick DP3 windlass remote from the anchor locker
  3. Release the anchor brake if needed
  4. Press DOWN to deploy — let the anchor run freely while motoring slowly astern
  5. Watch the chain counter (Quick CHC1102M) — it shows metres deployed
  6. When target scope is out, stop the windlass and let the chain snub tight
  7. Apply gentle reverse throttle to set the anchor — watch a fixed point to confirm you are not dragging
  8. Snub the chain to a deck cleat — do not leave anchor load on the windlass

Scope

Condition Ratio Example at 5 m depth
Settled, light wind 5:1 25 m chain
Moderate wind / overnight 7:1 35 m chain
Strong wind / storm 10:1+ 50 m+

Using more chain always gives better holding. In tight anchorages with swinging room limits, consider using less scope but setting a second anchor or a stern line to shore.

Confirming the Anchor is Set

  • Take a bearing on two fixed objects (a headland and a building, for example)
  • Apply reverse throttle — ~1,200 rpm for 30–60 seconds — and check the bearings don't change
  • On the Zeus3S, set an anchor watch alarm (in the tools menu) — it will alarm if the boat moves more than a set radius

Anchor Watch

At anchor overnight, set the Zeus3S anchor drag alarm. Set the radius to ~10 m more than your scope. Assign anchor watches in rough conditions — someone awake and watching every hour or two.

Hauling the Anchor

  1. Prepare the helm — engine in neutral, crew on the bow
  2. Motor slowly towards the anchor as the bow crew hauls chain with the windlass
  3. Keep the chain counter in view — when at ~5 m remaining, move at crawl speed
  4. When the chain is vertical (straight up-down), give a short forward throttle burst to break the anchor out
  5. Continue hauling — anchor stows in the bow roller
  6. Rinse the chain as it comes in if possible (deck hose)
  7. Confirm anchor is fully stowed and locked in the roller before powering up

Marina — Stern-To (Mediterranean Mooring)

The standard mooring in Croatian marinas is stern-to the quay, with the anchor or a marina mooring line holding the bow.

Using Your Own Anchor

  1. Approach the berth bows-on, parallel to the quay
  2. When ~40 m off, deploy the anchor
  3. Reverse into the berth — crew on the stern with lines ready
  4. Pass stern lines to the dock
  5. Take up slack on the anchor chain until the boat is held off the quay ~0.5 m

Using Marina Lazy Lines

Some marinas have lazy lines (lines already set on the bottom). A boathook to grab them at the bow, then secure to the bow cleat.

Spring Lines

When wind is across the berth, spring lines (from bow cleat to aft quay cleat and vice versa) prevent the boat surging forward and back. Always rig springs in any cross-berth wind situation.

Bathing Platform

The electric bathing platform (remote or transom switch) provides access from water.

  • Rocker switch on transom: forward = up, backward = down
  • Always check nothing is below (lines, fenders, swimmers) before lowering
  • Platform bears up to ~200 kg — do not overload

The swim ladder extends from the platform.