Bjkrad,
You know, that probably is not that bad. I think you are one step over the minimum reccs for a boat of your size. Funny, I thought BBB worked for most of the
windlass, but HT is better. As far as your question, it is just not ideal, of course it will "work". You will probably be fine for a lunch hook, etc. Yes, you could try it for the season and see how you like it. Now, with that said, let me also throw in my opinion:
I think ALL sailboats come with inadequate
ground tackle. The stuff that Catalina sends me sits nicely at the bottom of my locker and I use it for nothing more than a lunch hook. You mentioned just light cruising, but unless you are planning on never leaving your boat and never anchoring out at night... sooner or later you will wish you had something heavier.
I personally like the HT, and went all chain with the Grade 70 Hot Dip Galvanized HT Chain (as I recall), with a secondary 5/16 with
rode for lunch... and I personally overrate well beyond mfg suggestions by two sizes. I usually use this as my main hook. Of course, I have a windless to get that bad boy up with too. I will occasionally throw out my lunch hook for short stays becuase it is easier to set and retrieve, but I never get too far from the boat either.
You
ground tackle is THE most important piece of equipment on your boat, behind your safety gear... and it could be considered a piece of your safety gear. The cost is high, but how much is a good nights sleep worth? Or a piece of mind?
To answer your question again, you should be fine in most conditions. My opinion is that more boats drag because of insufficient scope more than insufficient
anchor and
rode... but I have no hard data to back this up - just late night screams across the anchorage.
- CD
PS Once you put in your
windlass, you will love it and laugh at the days you did not have it. Just watch those fingers!