Anchoring Technique

While sitting on anchor in Beach Haven I've been pondering the question of how to anchor when the wind opposes the current. The boat is pointed into the current but being pushed from the stern by the wind so the anchor chain falls back under the boat. I've had this happen in Nantucket and several other places as well. In an empty anchorage it's no problem but I haven't come up with a good way to identify where to drop my anchor under these conditions. Any thoughts or techniques?

So, normally I would drop my anchor close to the stern of the boat up wind of me. Under these conditions where would I drop the anchor? Right where I would expect to lay?

By the way. This anchorage is probably worth a look. Good restaurants a mile or two away and the grocery store is about a mile as well. Well out of the channel and very quiet in the evening. Downside, a hike from the inlet.

Done

Anchored in Pipe Creek, Exumas during a front, I have experienced all the boats in the anchorage turning in circles! This experience has been duplicated in other anchorages with high current during certain high wind direction/speed, including nassau harbour. So get out your protractors and figure that one out! I can tell you that transom-transom passes in the middle of the night is not fun.

That having been said, if you can see the bottom (basically all Bahamas) then look at your neighbors chain. It its not straight, then start adding LOTS of space between your boats, and check again with tide change and be prepared to move. If tide change is due at night, consider not dropping in questionable area.

Jesse