Stella Overboardvideo

Anchoring, sailing and surviving our first night on our sailboat

22 June 2025 · 7 min · 28K views

What this video covers

Camille Milligan and Jesse anchor their sailboat for the first time, encountering difficulties with unmarked chain. They fail to verify the chain markings before deployment, resulting in an estimated rather than measured scope. After setting the anchor in muddy bottom conditions, they secure a snubber to the chain to manage the load. The crew prepares for a sail but encounters an approaching storm, forcing them to adjust their plans and motor toward their destination instead. During the transit, they practice jib handling, specifically managing the sheet during turns to prevent flapping. They also hoist the dinghy to the deck using a clip system to reduce weight and secure it for the passage. The crew successfully prepares their first dinner while at anchor, managing the galley in calm conditions. The experience highlights the necessity of marking anchor chain at specific intervals to ensure accurate scope and the importance of securing the dinghy before departure.

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