anchor systems - length of chain?

[kmedley]

taking a powersquadron class, and while I have learned quite a bit about anchoring, have not found data on how long the chain should be between the rode and the anchor. is there a set formula based on boat size to decide this?

[walt123]

The length of the chain you use is directly related to the weight and windage of your vessel, depth of water you will be anchoring in, type of bottom etc. I personally would recommend at least 50" of chain adaquate to the boat you have. Remember that if you can''t see the bottom the chain is there to prevent chaff parting an anchor rode. I used to carry 4 x 50'' lengths of chain that could be shackled together as the situtation required. I also carred 4 x 150'' nylon anchor rodes. This was when I was doing long distance cruising. on a river or lake and on a boat that day sails 2 set of anchor gear is probally all that is necessary

[Jeff_H]

The rule of thumb that I had grown up with is that the anchor chain should be the same approximate length as the boat. The combined rode (chain and rode) should be 6 to 7 times the deepest water that you expect to anchor in. You can by with 5 to 6 times the length but nothing is nicer than a lot of scope on a windy bumpy night. If you anchor a lot, I also suggest carrying a small piece of canvas and some light line for chafe gear. Chafe gear really extends the life of the rode.

Jeff

[thomas s]

If you really want to be sure, use all chain!
For years I have used rode /chain combos with different anchors and haved dragged several times.I was having my coffee one morning reading the paper when I saw in the local state section a large picture of some fools boat which had dragged against the bridge.Of course that was me.Terribly long lecture by the coast guard ,local police ,etc. (the bridge was okay). I suppose a good rode /chain combo is okay for day sailing/weekend cruising but thats it.
thomas

[manateee_gene]

thomas:
Did you look up the weather and NOAA sites and the Ocean Conveyer Belt and the info about El Nino??

[kmedley]

thanks all! i''m new to sailnet (and to sailing) and it is great to know what good resources are out here!

[Bobola]

I think the standard setup is 100'' of chain, and 200'' of line.

Bob.....

[EtherCat]

There''s an article addressing anchor chain in this month''s issue of Nor''Easter - it recommends a minimum of 30'' of chain.

I go by the rule of thumb Jeff H mentioned, chain at least as long as the boat, but I prefer a total scope of 10x the normal max. water depth, with the assumption that eventually Ill have to anchor deeper than Id like. (got stuck behind St Catherines Sound once, only place to anchor was in 30'' in strong currents and high crosswinds, and almost every foot of the 220'' rode on the primary and 170'' on the secondary was needed to stay in place)

[maxcontax]

kmedley,
the amount of chain may be in part determined by a few other things:

1. can the anchoring person lift 100 feet of chain and a 25 lb anchor? do you have a winch?
2. how rough is the bottom where you go? if it is rocky and will abrade your nylon rode, you likely want chain equal to your normal water depth at high tide
3. which anchor are you using? see the anchors section at sailnet for an interesting thread on this. and the use of chain. and kellets.

If your anchor is holding by design more than weight, such as with a Fortress, you may need much less chain--presuming you have better luck setting fluke anchors than I do.

In summary, there may be no one answer without you adding in all your own circumstances.

[MaryBeth]

Do you really want 100'' of chain weighing down the bow of your boat?

The actual length needed can vary from 4'' to 30'' or more, unless, of course, we''re talking about a 100+ footer here.

Sorry, but where and what do you sail? lol

MaryBeth