Houseboat Anchoring at a Mooring Buoy

by Tony
(Iowa)

I just bought a 1994 54' Jamestowner Houseboat, and have it anchored on a mooring buoy. The problem is it tacks back and fourth, side to side even in low wind conditions. My question is how can I slow it down, or eliminate the houseboat from swaying at anchor, or at a mooring ball.

Reply - Answer
Good question Tony, since I also had a few houseboats who would sway from side to side at anchor, or at a mooring buoy.

I have posted the image above to show a technique that helps reduce or eliminate this problem.

One trick that I use is to use a second line attached to my anchor rode to make the houseboat angle of the anchor line.

You would attach the second line @ half the distance between the boat and the mooring ball, or anchor.

I have attached a drawing above to show the technique.

Ian - from www.all-about-houseboats.com