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Cooper Island - anchoring #79873
12/29/2015 04:51 PM
12/29/2015 04:51 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Mandknky Offline OP
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Mandknky  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Hi,
This afternoon I notice a lot of boats anchored outside the mooring field at Cooper...(looking at the Quart-a-Nancy point webcam). We have a charter coming up near end of Jan and, since the mooring balls seem to fill up quickly there, I was just wondering how the holding is should one decide to anchor beyond/east the mooring field? Thanks in advance,

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Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Mandknky] #79874
12/29/2015 05:00 PM
12/29/2015 05:00 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
GlennA Offline
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GlennA  Offline
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Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
DO NOT ANCHOR EAST of the MOORING FIELD. Been there done that spent the next 5 years selling anchors to make up for it. Bottom is seagrass over sand but that is not the main problem. At night the trades drop down and form a vorex west of Cistern Point. That vortex will screw the best anchor right out and it will happen around 3AM.


Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Mandknky] #79875
12/29/2015 05:22 PM
12/29/2015 05:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,199
Devon, UK
salica Offline
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salica  Offline
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Posts: 1,199
Devon, UK
Totally agree with Glen. Don't even think about it. If the mooring field is full move over to Marina Cay or Trellis. You will have a far more comfortable night (even if you don't realise it at the time). Listen to experience,

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: salica] #79876
12/29/2015 05:34 PM
12/29/2015 05:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Online content
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MrEZgoin  Online Content
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Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
Last time I was there, late arriving boats that attempted to anchor were asked to leave by resort staff... not sure on what authority.


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: GlennA] #79877
12/29/2015 05:35 PM
12/29/2015 05:35 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901
Maine
Breeze Offline
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Breeze  Offline
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Posts: 1,901
Maine
Aye Captain Glenn. TELL IT !!!!!


Setting a lunch hook at Cooper is one thing. A swim/snorkel, boat lunch-- I get it . MOVE TO A MOORING if you plan to stay overnight, and have Plan B for another place to overnight should there not be a mooring open up. Execute Plan B when there is ample time to complete Plan B.

Even securely on a mooring in Cooper is no guarantee of a peaceful night. BTDT, 2 AM to 5 AM all hands on deck, all fenders out, dinghy snugged up close, Iron Jenny fired, and boats swinging every which way AND LOOSE. Absolutely nutso, and happens very quickly.

Don't get caught in a seriously nasty situation because you haven't heard about it or are just too comfy and complacent.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Breeze] #79878
12/29/2015 07:03 PM
12/29/2015 07:03 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
GlennA Offline
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GlennA  Offline
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Macon, Georgia
If you get stuck with approaching darkness Haulover Bay on the east side of Cistern Point is a reasonable, if not optimal alternate.

The problem with Manchaneel Bay is that as the land cools the trade winds drop down and funnel through the gap at Haulover/Trash Beach. It is partially blocked by Cistern Point. This creates a train of vortices that roll over the mooring field. At any one time every boat in the field will be pointing in a different direction.

Boats at anchor in the seemingly ideal spot in the gap between the point and shore will spin in place. Bahama moored on all chain 5/1 scope between a 50 lb CQR and a 40 lb Bruce we did at least 12 complete 360s between 9PM and 3AM when the CQR finaly broke out. A wind powered Spanish windlass.

Last edited by GlennA; 12/30/2015 09:32 AM.

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: GlennA] #79879
12/29/2015 11:48 PM
12/29/2015 11:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Mandknky Offline OP
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Mandknky  Offline OP
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Posts: 119
Kentucky
Thanks for the advice, we will follow it.

There certainly does seem to be a lot of boats anchoring there though.... We will stick to the moorings while there.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Mandknky] #79880
12/30/2015 06:19 AM
12/30/2015 06:19 AM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 97
Germany, Bergkamen
B
bigbone Offline
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bigbone  Offline
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Posts: 97
Germany, Bergkamen
I totally agree with Glenn, sail over to marina cay, but don't anchor and don't destroy the seagrass.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Mandknky] #79881
12/30/2015 08:15 AM
12/30/2015 08:15 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
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sail445  Offline
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Most charter boats don't have enough rode to anchor properly outside the mooring field, the water drops of quickly.
If you do have to anchor use two anchors spread out like a Bahamian mooring so you're more or less in the center and you won't swing.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: sail445] #79882
12/30/2015 09:37 AM
12/30/2015 09:37 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
GlennA Offline
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GlennA  Offline
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Macon, Georgia
A Bahamian mooring in Manchaneel Bay will result in tangled rodes making it impossible to retrieve either anchor unless you tie the second rode to the stern or hang both rodes off a swivel. Like I said, been there, done that.


Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: GlennA] #79883
12/30/2015 10:00 AM
12/30/2015 10:00 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
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sail445  Offline
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I've done many times and never had a problem.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: GlennA] #79884
12/30/2015 11:40 AM
12/30/2015 11:40 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,018
annap, MD/BVI-Nanny Cay
hallucination Offline
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hallucination  Offline
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annap, MD/BVI-Nanny Cay
Cooper taught us a lesson.

When in a mono with high freeboard, and forward windage, make sure your mooring pennant/bridle is close hauled. I mean so the eye is literally resting at you bow.

wrapping the mooring chain around your keel is not a great way to start the day off. This is due to the above mentioned adiabatic cooling, and shifting that happens there.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: hallucination] #79885
12/30/2015 02:45 PM
12/30/2015 02:45 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
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Cooper gets back winded quite often.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: sail445] #79886
12/31/2015 08:36 AM
12/31/2015 08:36 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Ontario, Canada
A little off topic, last week we saw two 50' cats rafter together on one mooring.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: warren460] #79887
12/31/2015 09:22 AM
12/31/2015 09:22 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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GeorgeC1  Offline
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GA/NC
At the interline regatta they put two and 3 boats on every ball. Probably not smart but seems to work and they know how to properly raft boats. Having said that I believe rafting is banned in all charter contracts.
George

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: GeorgeC1] #79888
12/31/2015 10:41 AM
12/31/2015 10:41 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
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Rafting puts too much stress on the mooring and shouldn't be allowed.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: sail445] #79889
12/31/2015 11:13 AM
12/31/2015 11:13 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Ontario, Canada
Cooper has a sign at the dock that sets out the Weight limits. 2 50 foot cats, at least one was a charter, put them way way over the limit.

I wonder if cooper would have charged $60 for the ball or ordered one boat off?


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: warren460] #79890
12/31/2015 11:17 AM
12/31/2015 11:17 AM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
tradewinds Offline
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tradewinds  Offline
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Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
We saw 2 Moorings Cats rafted on the first ball off the northern dock. They were kinda in the way of all the day boats coming in and out.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: sail445] #79891
12/31/2015 12:39 PM
12/31/2015 12:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,169
Rincón PR
casailor53 Offline
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casailor53  Offline
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Posts: 1,169
Rincón PR
Quote
sail445 said:
I've done many times and never had a problem.

YET!

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: casailor53] #79892
12/31/2015 04:43 PM
12/31/2015 04:43 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 402
St Thomas, USVI
K
Kimber Offline
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Kimber  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 402
St Thomas, USVI
I see a comment earlier in this thread about anchoring east of the mooring field, I wouldn't think that would be wise either. I've anchored successfully west of the mooring field roughly straight out from the beach more than a few times without issue. I've done this with very good ground tackle on charter boats carrying 250', or more, of all chain rode.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Kimber] #79893
01/01/2016 01:36 AM
01/01/2016 01:36 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Mandknky Offline OP
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Mandknky  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 119
Kentucky
Good catch.... I did indeed mean to say "west of the mooring field" and I am sure that Glen meant the same....
Still.... With such poor holding and frequent backwinding, I am surprised so many anchor there overnight. The last time we were there we were tied on the last ball on southern side, then a cat dropped anchor between us and cistern rock. Late in the afternoon we started swinging different directions and the cat came within 3 or 4 ft of us, At that point the capt of the cat asked our opinion of his set up.... We said did not look so good to us and they ended up moving somewhere else. I was just wanting to know more about experiences dropping the hook to the west side of moorings --- got the answer now. Thanks

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Mandknky] #79894
01/01/2016 04:23 AM
01/01/2016 04:23 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
beerMe Offline
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beerMe  Offline
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Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
I've been holding my tongue wondering if my internal compass was off. East of the mooring field seemed to me to be towards shore. I was assuming others were talking about South, South West or even West of the field. Most of the companies I've been with banned anchoring at Cooper claiming the grass bottom was not good holding, now I know the rest of the story.


Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: beerMe] #79895
01/01/2016 04:37 AM
01/01/2016 04:37 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Not to mention that the signage at cooper says anchoring on that grass is illegal and harmful to the sea turtles.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: warren460] #79896
01/01/2016 01:01 PM
01/01/2016 01:01 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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Posts: 1,347
USVI
They actually need a sign to inform boaters of that?

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: LocalSailor] #79897
01/01/2016 07:28 PM
01/01/2016 07:28 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
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warren460  Offline
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Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
Yep, especially those that should not be boating


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: GlennA] #79898
01/03/2016 09:59 AM
01/03/2016 09:59 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 110
Colorado foothills
Tango Offline
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Tango  Offline
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Posts: 110
Colorado foothills
Glenn and others are absolutely right. The middle-of-the-night swirling will put all the moored boats on each other, especially since the moorings have different depths. Anchored boats get the worst of it. Consider Fat Hog's Bay as an alternative -- there are some moorings and shallow anchoring near the reef. If you call ahead to the resort they may be able to tell you whether the moorings are filled.

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Tango] #79899
01/03/2016 01:34 PM
01/03/2016 01:34 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 167
J
Jccarr Offline
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Jccarr  Offline
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Posts: 167
Where is Fat Hogs bay?

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Jccarr] #79900
01/04/2016 11:47 AM
01/04/2016 11:47 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 201
TN
msdj69 Offline
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msdj69  Offline
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Posts: 201
TN
Directly across from Cooper Island on Tortola.


Mike
Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: msdj69] #79901
01/04/2016 12:33 PM
01/04/2016 12:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,199
Devon, UK
salica Offline
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salica  Offline
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Posts: 1,199
Devon, UK
As Mike says, straight across on Tortola. Not the prettiest bay, but well sheltered under most circumstances. There is an excellent laundromat, good Riteway and the superb Red Rock restaurant right there, Not just any port in a storm!

Re: Cooper Island - anchoring [Re: Mandknky] #79902
01/05/2016 06:34 PM
01/05/2016 06:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 355
East Lansing, MI, USA
2forBVI Offline
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2forBVI  Offline
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Posts: 355
East Lansing, MI, USA
We spent a month one night at anchor at Manchioneel! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/titanic.gif" alt="" />
Heed the excellent advice above!


"If we weren't all crazy we would go insane!"

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