Agreed.Be Free wrote: ↑Tue Dec 03, 2024 10:50 pm A line off the stern would not keep you from dragging and if the wind or current reversed it would have the waves hitting the rear of the boat. The primary advantage to a stern anchor is to stop the boat from "sailing at anchor" or sometimes to help hold the boat into the waves when wind and current are at odds.
In fact, a stern anchor can sometimes make things worse. If the wind changes to the beam, waves will be crashing sideways and wind will be blowing the boat over. Although the "sailing" at anchor is annoying, keeping the boat pointed into the wind and waves is ideal.
I spent a long night IN A SLIP with tropical storm winds blowing on the beam and well secured with docklines. We didn't have waves to contend with, but the boat was healed over 25 degrees all night howling through rigging.