I will add a little bit to this discussion on chain anchor rode. After having an all chain rode now for 3 years as a cruiser (coastal and Bahamas), chain provides an unmatched level of security. I have 225 feet of (5/16”) chain in my bow locker and it’s true that it can affect the boat’s balance but it can be offset by keeping the forward water tank empty (which I do when bucking strong headwinds). I also removed my second anchor which I never needed anyway and replaced it with a Fortress for use in emergencies. I have a secondary anchor rode which is a combination of rope and chain but this one is not used with the windlass. The maximum length of chain I have ever used is 150 feet. So, you could use just 150 feet and then add rope to the end that rarely if ever gets used—I’ve thought about altering my anchor rode this way to save weight in the bow.
Don’t forget that chain provides the luxury of less scope that a rope rode. I would recommend tailoring your length of chain to your current cruising area and not for some future goal. You will carrying around all that chain from now until the future whether you ever need it or not. Bob Bob Boyer s/v Rainy Days C&C Landfall 38 (Hull # 230) (Presently traveling south on ICW) blog: dainyrays.blogspot.com email: dainyr...@icloud.com > On Nov 20, 2018, at 11:30 AM, Chuck Gilchrest via CnC-List > <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > > Danny, > Even with a 40’ boat, placing that much chain in a bow locker will > drastically change the balance of the boat and boat handling will be > compromised. We had friends with a Tayana 64 that sailed beautifully upwind > and downwind until they put 250’ of chain in the bow. Downwind the boat > suffered greatly and steered like a truck going upwind as the bow tended to > plow. > Why not use a combination of chain and 8 Plait rope that will fit the gypsy > on your Windlass and save yourself considerable weight? > Most firm 8 plait rode will act just like chain in your windlass and wont > require a shackle at the chain/rope junction. If the windlass is designed to > accommodate 5/16” chain, using 5/8” 8 Plait should be sufficiently large and > robust to allow the chain/rope to pass smoothly into your locker and will > take up far less room than a comparable length chain only rode. > > Full disclosure, I work for a rope manufacturer so perhaps my preference > towards a combination rode may not be completely unbiased. I will say that > the folks at Defender sell literally thousands and thousands of feet of both > chain and rope and given their New England locale, I don’t think its > unreasonable to take their advice given your sailing area. > Best, > Chuck Gilchrest > S/V Half Magic > 1983 35 Landfall > Padanaram, MA > > From: CnC-List <cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com> On Behalf Of Danny Haughey via > CnC-List > Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2018 10:30 AM > To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com > Cc: Danny Haughey <djhaug...@juno.com> > Subject: Stus-List Anchor chain advice > > Hi All, > > I've got an old simpson lawrence sprint 1500 windlass on Rum Runner with an > RC172 gypsy. This gypsy is for 5/16” G43 HT ISO chain. Currently I can't > identify the existing chain but it certainly is the wrong size for the gypsy > and the measurements don't match G4 or BBB chain. I have 45lb CQR that came > with the boat. So, my plan currently is to go with a new chain and shackle. > I was thinking of going all chain at about 275 feet of the 5/16 G4. This is > by no means a small investment! Defender has a 275 foot 1/2 drum for just > under $800. this is the cheapest I can find by a few hundred bucks. the > shackle will add another $100... I may be able to save a few bucks by > waiting for the spring sale. > > My question is really more of search for validation. Does this solution seem > well suited for my situation. Currently we are coastal cruisers that do a > week out a couple times a summer around the cape and islands but, I do have > visions of venturing further. > > my only choices for a gypsy is the current one or replace that with one that > takes 3/8 BBB chain. That chain is actually more expensive, heavier and has > a lower working load limit. > > Does all chain seem like overkill? I could also buy a pail of 90 feet 5/16 > G4 for $300. the weight difference is about 200lbs over the 275 feet of > chain. My T40 has a displacement of 17,250lbs according to sailboat data. > the mantus website recommends 5/16 G4 chain for boats up to 40 feet and > 20,000 lbs. I know I'm nearing the limit but, I think this is the most > practical solution for now. If I were to head off into the sunset, I > believe I would upgrade the windlass, chain and anchor but, for now... > > I'd also like to throw a word out for John over at SL Spares. We've been > emailing for a month or two figuring out exactly what I have and my options > going forward. really great service if you happen to have one of these old > simpson lawence units! > > -- > Danny > T40 > Rum Runner IV > Mattapoisett, MA > _______________________________________________ > > Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each and > every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - use > PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >
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