Anchor Chain ?

rap55 · Post by **rap55** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:45 am

Since my windless will not allow me to use anchor chain. The original owner installed a length of stainless wire cable to the anchor stock, I guess to add weight to the stock. Does anybody use this set-up? Should I stay with this or go another route. The cable has a few broke strands so I was going to need to replace it anyway. GOT INPUT ?

Thanks, Rick F-36 / MissKitty

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:15 am

Could you add maybe two feet of chain...between anchor and windlass? This should be enough weight.

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:20 am

I believe the chain portion of your rode should be the length of your boat, for the bow and half the length of your boat for the stern anchor, especially with a danforth style anchor.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:33 am

Length of your boat? Huh?

Where did you see that?

I can't imagine 32' of chain.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:02 pm

I just saw a chart the other day and it call for 4-6 foot of chain with a danforth . more chain is all ways better and NEVER use poly line that floats .

standard danforth

http://danforthanchors.com/standard.html

Hi Tensel Danforth
http://danforthanchors.com/hitensile.html

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:38 pm

I had 100' 5/16" triple B chain with a 33lb bruce on the bow and , 30' 1/4 chain on a 16lb bruce stern anchor, on my previous boat, a 34' trawler,
set instantly and would always reset when the wind shifted.

I have 35' of 1/4 chain on the bow with a danforth style anchor now for the F32, bow weight is a little more of an issue now.

not sure where I read that but have many a boater friend who use this a s a rule of thumb, and it works.

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:04 pm

here is an old article regarding anchoring from boats US, I believe the old westmarine advisors used to recommend 1' of chain per foot of boat as well.

read two paragraphs directly above "SCOPE"

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/revi ... info5e.htm

It may be a different rule of thumb on the east coast, I do not know,

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:13 pm

I'm sure that will catch - but its sounds like a real pain to deal with.

Not surprised West Marine recommends 1' of chain per foot of boat - look what they charge!

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:33 pm

gettaway wrote:here is an old article regarding anchoring from boats US, I believe the old westmarine advisors used to recommend 1' of chain per foot of boat as well.

read two paragraphs directly above "SCOPE"

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/revi ... info5e.htm

It may be a different rule of thumb on the east coast, I do not know,

I think they mean if you are going to use Chain alone (like an Aircraft Carrier), "one foot of chain for each foot of boat length".

If your Rode is Chain & Line, they recommend, "one pound of chain for each pound of anchor length" whatever that means.

In any case - these recommendations don't really make sense (even the sentence is confusing). My F32 would have 50-75# of chain - that's a little over the top.

from the article:

"Combination anchor-rodes consist of both chain and nylon line. You may buy a combination rode, or you may make one yourself. Generally, it is recommended to have either one foot of chain for each foot of boat length, or to have one pound of chain for each pound of anchor length. Which ever method you choose, having more chain than necessary is never a bad idea.

As the saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its' weakest link...Make sure that your anchor and line are attached to each other with adequate gear. Some lines come with plastic thimbles or eyes--but metal, either marine-grade stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized steel, is best. Swivels and shackles should be inspected regularly for wear, and to ensure that the connections are tight and functional.

SCOPE"

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 1:56 pm

proof coil 1/4 proof coil is .63 lb per foot, for an f32, that about 20 lbs of chain for 32 feet

5/16" is 1 lb a foot or 32 lbs of chain

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:04 pm

well, once again we have proven that in the world of boating " individual preference" is the rule of thumb.

I know that when I anchor over night, I sleep better knowing I have a lot of chain and a little bigger anchor than may be required.

call me a fool, but I have a 33lb bruce going on the F32. the existing anchor (a danforth) was noted on the survey as too small, I told the surveyor I had a 33 lb bruce that I was replacing the danforth with, he looked at me and said, 33 lb Bruce ? thats too mu........., (grin) no such thing as too much anchor!

rap55 · Post by **rap55** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:06 pm

But since my windless will-not accept chain should I stay with the stainless wire cable in Lew of the chain method? The set-up I have at this time is about a 5ft. length of wire cable attached to the anchor which is shackled to the anchor line.

Rick- F-36 / MissKitty

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:17 pm

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:30 pm

gettaway wrote:proof coil 1/4 proof coil is .63 lb per foot, for an f32, that about 20 lbs of chain for 32 feet

5/16" is 1 lb a foot or 32 lbs of chain

Well, I certainly don't use 1/4" chain on an anchor - its 3/8" ... which weighs 1.4#/ft X 32 feet = 45# per your formula.

My spare anchor's chain would be another 45#, so that 90# of chain on board.

Anyway - if you all use 35' of 1/4" on the West Coast then that's fine with me.

In the South, we use a Rode with Braided Line (3/4" here), 6-8' of heavy chain (mine is 3/8" stainless) and a good anchor (Fortress here). I keep 3 of these setups aboard for emergencies (like Hurricanes).

rap55 wrote:But since my windless will-not accept chain should I stay with the stainless wire cable in Lew of the chain method? The set-up I have at this time is about a 5ft. length of wire cable attached to the anchor which is shackled to the anchor line.

Rick- F-36 / MissKitty

Yes - sounds like your only option, short of replacing your windlass with a model that accepts chain.

rap55 · Post by **rap55** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 4:01 pm

Thanks again guy`s.

Rick - F-36 / MissKitty