TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Rocking, rolly all night long!

The other version that happens in tight spaces all the time. A boat wakes to terror of slamming the keel on the bottom. They somehow retrieve their anchor and run/flee the the tight harbor at great speed and snag another now taught in shallow water anchor chain with their own keel or rudder. The result the secure at anchor vessels is launched into the side of the boat trying to flee. In most cases the crews of both boats are clueless how boat B slammed into the side of boat A. Bedlam ensues. The point small tight anchorages are fraught with danger and never cross near the bow of any anchored boat. You just do not know where the chain is waiting to capture your moving boat. The first hint may be the other boat rapidly accelerating toward your cockpit.

Thanks to all for the education on the North Swell as well as the pitfalls of certain "particular harbors". Also the telltale signs of when the s#@t hits - what may be the cause.

Looks like a 3-4 foot north swell for the next few days. Diminishing on Monday.
Low to moderate winds. Wheels up in 10 hours!

Should work out fine for us, tomorrow at Nanny Cay, next day at Scrub on slip, the next, who the heck knows.

This post has certainly opened my eyes to potential trouble spots in paradise. I realize that there are always exceptions to the rule, but for the most part are all anchorages within Sir Francis Drake Channel protected well enough for overnight stays?

depending, mono or cat? There are several anchorages we stay away from in a mono

Mono. A Jeanneau 44 from TMM.

Cooper can be very rolly, watch your weather and swell info.

Much thanks. That's our second night's stay.

Cooper is a beautiful spot. However the swells can trick you. It can be flat for hours and then you ROLL. Lasts a period of time and then pretty calm again. It's not dangerous, but is very uncomfortable, especially when the rolling starts around bedtime. Fortunately, there are no breaking waves at the mooring field. The rolling is even more uncomfortable when the wind and swells are from different directions.

To clarify, the anchorage at Cooper Island is exposed and can get rolly in rough sea conditions not just north swells. We spent a bad night there several years ago when the channel got cut up in 6-8' seas from easterly winds.

It seems like it's always fine when we go to bed, but the swells start rolling in around 2am.

I agree 100% with this. Calm all afternoon too.

I love White Bay, we were married there, but it is best as a summer anchorage.
I have literally been airborne with the rollers. Best to spend the night in Great Harbor and dingy over during the day.