Entry 1 Give your neighbors room to swing
Every anchored boat swings with wind and current, and the radius of that swing depends on how much anchor line or chain is out, not just the boat's length. Anchoring too close to a boat with significantly more scope out risks an overlap that neither boat anticipated.
Entry 2 Match the pattern already set, don't fight it
Boats already anchored in a cove usually settle into a consistent swing pattern based on the prevailing wind or current. Anchoring in a way that puts your boat on a different pattern than everyone else is a common cause of near-contact later when conditions shift and all boats swing together.
Entry 3 A dragging anchor is everyone's problem, not just yours
Checking your position against a fixed shore reference periodically after anchoring, especially after a wind shift, catches a slowly dragging anchor before it becomes a boat drifting into a crowded part of the anchorage.
Entry 4 Questions people ask
How much space should I leave between anchored boats?
Enough that both boats' full swing circles, based on their scope out, don't overlap — this varies by conditions and scope, not a fixed distance.
Is it okay to ask a newly arrived boat to re-anchor further away?
Yes, a polite, early conversation is far better than letting a potential overlap go unaddressed until conditions change.