[Public-list] Anchor and Rode

Wed Mar 15 14:24:51 PST 2006

I am looking to buy anchor chain myself. I checked in the West Marine catalog and it seems to be very expensive. I have cruised up and down the Georgia and Florida east coast and throughout the Bahamas with a Bruce Anchor with 200' of nylon anchor line and 5 or 6 feet of galvanized chain. I would have to check the diameters, etc. because I can't remember right off hand. I also have a danforth lunch hook and various other danforths I have found on the bottom. I can't remember ever significantly dragging anchor and I've had the boat for about 22 years. The most sustained wind I can remember being anchored in that I actually clocked was 50 + knots in the lee of Eluthera at current cut anchored in a sand bottom and she didn't budge. I think I had the Bruce and the big danforth out.I was thinking about buying about 50' of chain. 5/16 is listed @ 4.59/ft for Grade 40 Hot dip galvanized high test chain, 5.99/ft for Grade 70, and 15.99/foot for stainless steel proof coil chain. For 50' it would be $229.50, $299.50, and $799.50, respectively. I want something of sufficient size and strength with maybe a little over kill. And I definetly want something that I will not have to worry about rusting, preferably in my lifetime. I initially wanted to go with stainless steel but it's pretty steep in price and also has a much lower breaking strength for the size. My questions to the group are: What size chain would be sufficient (with a little over kill)? What experience has been had with the different grades as far as rusting in a marine environment? and Does anyone have a better source for chain as far as price goes?
Thanks,
John (Trelawney #15)
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Birch<mailto:Sunstone at cogeco.ca> 
  To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all<mailto:public-list at alberg30.org> 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 10:07 AM
  Subject: Re: [Public-list] Anchor and Rode

  When cruising - particularly in the 1000 Islands, Lake Ontario, I have found 
  since going to all chain, 200' 5/16 high tensile, that I can limit my swing 
  in anchorages and "sleep like lumber" ; )

  We use a SL 555 Sea Tiger windlass to handle the chain and I installed a 
  deck washdown system to minimize muck of the chain bringing up mud. On ours 
  we have a 45lb CQR with two 33lb Bruces as backup anchors. Had a custom 
  offset SS dual bow roller fabricated with oversize cheeks so the chain can't 
  jump. Interestingly the bow roller didn't cost much more than two off the 
  shelf units would have cost and it is a much better unit, looks good too. 
  This holds the CQR and one Bruce. The Bruce is on 50' of chain and 5/8' 
  nylon twist. The CQR on 200' chain with an additional 300' of 3/4 nylon 
  twist (in case I ever encounter a really deep anchorage say 80' foot).

  The deck wash was quite inexpensive to install and has made cleanup a 
  breeze, and is useful for the occasional midlake shower - though a bit 
  bracing to be sure ... brrrrrr - ohmmmmmmmmmmmm ; )

  While this is on an A-37, scaling down for an A-30 would be easily feasible. 
  Up here there are a few A-30's on chain and the owners seem to be quite 
  happy with the arrangement. Personally, I think a CQR is the best all round 
  anchor - although the boat came with 2 danforths, I find they are useless if 
  weed or hard bottoms are encountered.

  With all the cheap used equipment down in the Annapolis area available, 
  buying a used CQR in good shape is not the bank breaker that one is when 
  bought new. Combined with all the danforths you guys use in the Chesapeake, 
  you could cruise anywhere. One point I discovered the hard way, with no 
  damage thank goodness, is that you should have 2 primary grade anchors, in 
  case something happens to the first.

  My experience anyway.

  Cheers,
  John

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Gordon Laco" <mainstay at csolve.net<mailto:mainstay at csolve.net>>
  To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at alberg30.org<mailto:public-list at alberg30.org>>
  Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 9:19 AM
  Subject: Re: [Public-list] Anchor and Rode

  > Hi there -
  >
  > I would suggest that if you have variable water depth, and expect the
  > possiblity of wind, you need the best anchoring gear you can afford where
  > ever you sail.  Anchoring requirements in the Chesapeake place no less
  > hazard than anywhere else!  An anchor cable totalling 120' will allow you 
  > to
  > anchor with reasonable security in about 20' of water...that is not much.
  > In winds over say 20kts you would not be reasonable secure , using
  > Danforth's own 7:1 recommendation.
  >
  > The good thing about an all chain cable is that it artificially increases
  > the effect of scope by forcing the boat to pick up the chain before 
  > exerting
  > a pull on the anchor...and also by ensuring that the pull on the anchor is
  > as near horizontal as possible when it does come on.  I think really good
  > ground tackle is the cheapest and most effective insurance you can 
  > buy...and
  > its good seamanship too!
  >
  > There I go again....
  >
  > Gord #426
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >
  >> This talk about anchor chain makes me wonder...
  >> I would have thought an all chain rode might be
  >> overkill here in  the Chesapeake Bay.
  >>
  >> What anchor and rode combination do you Chesapeake Bay
  >> sailors use?
  >>
  >> I have no experience with the A30 yet, but I would
  >> guess that a 20 lb Danforth, 20' of 5/16" chain, and
  >> 100' of 7/16" nylon would be about right for most
  >> conditions here.  A smaller lunch hook with lighter
  >> nylon and no chain is probably OK for mild conditions
  >> when the boat is attended.
  >>
  >> What do those who range to the Keys and the Carribean
  >> find they need?
  >>
  >> Pete
  >>
  >>
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