When the mercury is high and the air is breathless, there is nothing better than lying on the hook in a turquoise blue bay, with shelter from the prevailing wind and swell.

We have the means to survive in some comfort for as long as we fancy. I can slip into the briny to cool off, and there is just enough breeze to keep the temperature liveable down below. All is well in my world. At least until someone decides that their perfect spot is six feet off our bow, that is.

We have all been there, right? And I will also hold my hand up and say that I have also been on that boat that ended up a little closer than is comfortable to someone else. No one is perfect.

On one occasion, we were settled at anchor when a smaller yacht came into the anchorage and, after a very brief recce, dropped their hook roughly three metres from ours, with just a little more chain out than the water depth, and promptly turned off the engine, deployed their fenders, and disappeared down below.

You know that sinking feeling? They popped back up half an hour later with the makings of lunch. We were by now all too easily able to identify the green salad, hummus and a fresh loaf of bread. There was little wind, and although we were close, the fenders were not quite yet in play.

We thought they would observe our proximity and politely move. But no. ‘Oooh, how lovely – our boats are dancing together,’ they cooed over to us. Yes, we moved.

Another time, we were cruising a busy anchorage, sussing things out, when a guy leapt up onto his foredeck, helpfully held his arms out in front of him and, spreading them wide, announced, ‘My anchor is here.’

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Well, feeling a little mischievous, we thought it was too good an opportunity to miss. We took a turn, with me busy preparing the anchor, and drifted up alongside him. We continued a little further forward, while gently easing the anchor over the bow roller until it just touched the water.

By this time, the chap was literally going purple with rage. ‘My anchor…’ he implored. Of course, we cruised on past and anchored on the other side of the bay, but it did give us a slightly guilty giggle.

In my view, anchoring is three parts science, one part art.

You need the right-sized anchor and chain for your boat. For most, a decent windlass is non-negotiable – preferably one you are familiar with and that you tend to regularly. Oh, and it is useful if you have some way of knowing how much chain you have out.

You need to know the depth you are anchoring in and the characteristics of the seabed, and ideally you should have a recent forecast for wind and weather conditions.

Based on the above, you will know roughly how much chain you will want to let go and will be able to see when you have done so. So far, so scientific.

Read the environment

Now comes the art. You have a scout around. How crowded is it? Where are the best places – read: shelter, depth, clear sand? Circle around, noting how other boats are lying and the types of craft.

A light-displacement flyer on a rope rode will sit differently to a long-keeler or a catamaran. Are they lying to their anchors, or have they been swinging around lazily all day in no breeze? Are any on moorings? There is much more to it than just dropping the hook. And no, nobody gets it right every time.

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