Conference unifix::sailing

Mediteranean Moor - Practically every place I've ever sailed on the Med uses
a stern-to mooring system, usually with permanent lines (`pendilles') that
you can pick up for the bow, although you occasionally need to drop an
anchor and back down.

Bahamian Moor - I think this is two anchors at 180 degrees to each other.

    Bahamian moor is for tides.  Drop one anchor in the running tide. Let
    out scope times two.  Drop second and equal sized anchor. Winch in half
    of scope on original anchor. You are now moored half way between them
    and when the tide reverses your ship just swings end for end. Tidy.
    
    (thanks to Donald Street)
    
        

April 95 Cruising World describes these two and a couple of other variations on 
anchoring with multiple lines.

It has been over 10 years since I was in the BVI.  However, I do not recal any
tide to speak of ,10", and essentially no currents to deal with.  Likewise, I
do not recall seeing any boats moored to a quay.  Sort of unimportant anchoring
techniques for their if you ask me.

We typically used an esablished mooring.  $10/10years ago. These were rated for
about 60' craft.  We were renting a 42' sloop.  Need not worry about dragging.
I do not rember the name of the anchorage (east end of Tortola).  It was 
crowded and the wind was howling for a couple of days.  We did lay to two
anchors.  This gave a greater sense of security and kept us well clear of a
neighboring Swan.  Incidently,  I did shift the location of the anchors based
on the changes in positions of boats around us.  We never dragged.  One boat 
dragged a short distance.  I shortened up scope so that if it happened again, I
was well clear.  He set a second anchor later in the day.

re .2:

>>> ..... and when the tide reverses your ship just swings end for end. Tidy.
    
Well, maybe, maybe not. If you're using nylon rodes, which tend to
float, there is a rather high probability that one or both rodes will
tangle on the keel, rudder, and/or propeller. One solution is to tie a
weight (we use small mushroom anchors) to each rode about ten feet from
the bow. The weight will hold the rode below the boat as the boat swings. 

    I was in the BVI last spring and I agree with .3 that these two
    techniques are very unlikely to be required.  Since Moorings is a
    French company that charters world-wide, I suspect this is just their
    generic questionaire.
    
    The fixed moorings are definitely the way to go if they are available
    where you are.  Your mandatory cruising permit includes use of all the
    day-use moorings and there is a small fee payable for the overnight
    moorings.  Most of them are actually bolts cemented into holes drilled
    into the solid volanic rock on the bottom.  This is both nicer looking
    and less damaging to the bottom as well as being quite secure.
    
    If you are there at peak season and using popular anchorages, you might
    want to plan to stop for the day at little early to have the best
    chance of getting a mooring.  They make life a lot easier.  I was there
    last spring with one other neophyte sailor on a 38 footer and would
    have gladly paid several times the going rate for a mooring after we
    got shut out a couple of times and I had to set and retrieve two
    anchors by myself.
    
    Tom

    Ditto the previous replies.  The only anchoring technique you will need
    other than a single is possibly a double anchor to limit swinging in
    the more crowded anchorages like Norman Island.  Peter Island Yacht
    Club may provide an opportunity for a med moor as they often tie you 
    up stern to and there aren't any finger piers.  I would not recommend
    going in there either though.  Most of the popular anchorages have 
    moorings for $10-15/night.  You should have receioved a cruising guide
    from The Moorings or your charter broker if you used one.  This should
    have the pertinent info in there including the anchoring techniques
    common to the area.  From memory though......
    
    With moorings for overnight: 
    
    Bitter End/Leverick Bay/Drakes anchorage
    Cane Garden Bay
    Marina Cay 
    Cooper Island (A must for a mooring, poor holding otherwise) 
    Soper's Hole
    Little Harbor Jost Van Dyke
    Anegada 
    
    Day moorings only:
    
    Salt Island (Rhone)
    Indians
    Norman Island caves
    The Dogs
    The Baths ???? New ???
    
    No moorings 
    
    The bight at Norman Island
    Deadman's Bay Peter Island
    Trellis Bay
    Great Harbor Jost Van Dyke
    White Bay Jost Van Dyke
    
    If you go to St. John, the anchorages on the north side don't have them
    unless you go into Cruz Bay which I would recommend against due to the 
    crowded nature of the harbor.  
    
    Brian 

Thanks to all for all the great information.   Most appreciated.

    Does anyone know what happened today and for that matter yesterday ?
    
    The TV coverage here was great ...  live coverage and good shows then
    they didn't carry Saturday's race .... OK I could live with that, I was
    mostly interested in Sunday's.  Yesterday they showed Saturday's with
    Mighty Mary beating PACT 95.  OK I can live with that I suppose but
    where did yesterday's race go ?  Now the TV should be showing today's
    race but instead is showing American Gladiators - I called home to see
    if big-Den is out on the water.
    
    I see that there are two possibilities:
    1. The cable station is just messed up.
    
    2. There have been some delays - weather related
    
    OK 3 possibilities ..
    
    3. DC won yesterday and so is in the final.
    
    Anyone know ?

    Sorry for the location of this note, my PC is haveing some X-mission
    problems and screen formats ... I thought I was in Americas Cup Update
    !