This weekend we went to Block Island.
Nothing Broke.
Nothing was destroyed.
Nothing caught on fire.
There was no fog.
An excellent and relaxing time was had by all.
We did have some minor drama when anchored next to Mr. “Chapman’s says I should have 7 to 1 scope dammit and I’m taking it” in an anchorage where you consider yourself fortunate to get 5 to 1 out because it is normally so crowded. But we didn’t hit him (even though he swung into the guy next to us the night before), and we didn’t drag in the 30+ knot thunderstorm that blew through Saturday night. The conversation went something like this, when he decided to clue me in about 8 hours after we’d anchored that he had so much scope out:
Mr. Chapman’s Says: We have 210 feet of scope out.
Me: I have 165
Mr. Chapman’s Says: We’re in 30 feet of water.
Me: I know. I have all chain.
Mr. Chapman’s Says: It’s supposed to blow 30 knots tonight.
Me: I know.
Mr. Chapman’s Says: It’s supposed to swing West.
Me: I know.
Mr. Chapman’s Says: I have 210 feet of scope out.
Me: I know.
Mr. Chapman’s Says: I am worried that you won’t swing enough, last night we woke up against that boat over there (points to rather beat up looking ketch NO ONE wants to end up against). When we swing we will be on you.
Me: OK. I will let more out so you don’t hit me. But we will get closer together now.
Mr. Chapman’s Says: That’s OK. We’re going in town to the movies now.
An excellent and relaxing time really was had by all…except for a brief moment with one skipper wearing boxer shorts and foulies in the cockpit during a torrential fusillade of rain while glaring daggers at the boat next to us from 2-3 AM on Saturday…but I got over it.
In all due seriousness…yes, 7:1 scope is ideal and preferred. I’ve gotten that at Block Island. In early May, and in October. Other than that it is too crowded and no one can let out that much lest they be a menace to everyone around them.
