Chain and Rode

[paul323]

Reviewing the tackle for my Pearson 323 (~14K lbs loaded, mainly used in SF Bay). All I have rigged now is a lunch hook (10lb Danforth). I have a 35lb CQR, no rode..when I can afford it, I'll be needing 150' 3/8 chain to use the CQR as a storm anchor...but the boat is in a slip so that can wait a bit...

My next step is the working/overnight anchor - a 25lb Manson (replacing a Bruce of the same size).

Somebody gave me 150' 1/2" rode with 10' 1.4" chain. The sizing seems okay, but I was thinking more like 30' chain. So do I buy 20' and add it on (how?), or buy a 30' length, splice it in, and throw away the 10'? Or just live with 10'? The bottom is mud here (SF), so I am not too worried about chafe.

Advice appreciated.

[Minnewaska]

The CQR is not a very good storm anchor, regardless one chain/rode set up. I would only use it in fairly tame conditions, so I wouldn't worry too much about the set up.

[Lake Superior Sailor]

You should reconcider your anchor sizes, think more in the lines of 200 -300 ft of 5/8 rode,& buy 25ft. of 3/8 chain, just for starters..Dale

[Stu Jackson]

Ground Tackle & Anchor System Sizing TABLES & Swivels

We're here on San Francisco Bay, too.

[tdw]

I realise the Manson is probably a slightly better anchor than the Bruce but I doubt very much I'd be bothered changing from one t'other.

We went from CQR to Rocna on our old boat and yes some improvement particularly in sand.

New girl has a Bruce and going on experience thus far I wouldn't bother changing to either Mansen or Rocna. As a 'storm' anchor give me Bruce over CQR any day of the week.

If I were you I'd work on the rode. We carry 90 metres of chain and a further 90 metres of rope. That'll do me.

[Brent Swain]

In Frisco bay, ten feet of 3/8th chain, and the rest half inch nylon is all you need, on the 35 lb CQR.
1/4 chain is definitely to small.
I'd build another delta, as one 35 pounder can be lost, leaving you with nothing useful.
On my 31 footer I use a 55 lb delta, a 35 lb delta, a 40 lb Danforth, and a couple of 30 lb Danforths with 550 feet of half inch braided nylon, 160 feet of 3/4 dacron braid, 200 ft of 1/4 inch 7x19 wire rope, 15 feet of 3/8th chain, and some shorter lengths of chain.I only use the wire rope in the tropics, coral latitudes.

[tdw]

Jaysus Brent that is one hell of a collection of anchors.

What I don't understand is why you use a 55lber on a 31'er yet only 15' of chain.

Maybe it is just that we have different perspectives on this but me I like chain.

btw ... our primary Bruce is a 45lber, and our secondary is a Spade. I'll possibly add either another Spade or a Fortress when we head out on a more permanent basis.

[Brent Swain]

I'd rather have a heavier anchor than a heavier chain. An anchor on rope holds well, outside of the coral latitudes, chain with no anchor I can drag by hand. I wouldn't go south with any fewer anchors , in fact I will probably make a few more up.
With my drum winch, I can't feel the difference between a 35 pounder and a 55 pounder, hauling it up, so why would I go for the smaller one?
I have a litre of lead ( 30 lbs ) with a stainless loop on it to put on the rode, if I need more scope. That way I get to lift it by itself , and remove it, before lifting the anchor. With chain you lift a lot of the weight at the same time.

[chef2sail]

Wow with all those anchors, lets hope they are not all on the boat at once. Would be a lot of dead weight.

We have a 20kg Rocna and a 35 delta, and a 20 Danforth as backups. It is important to have anchors which are good for differing conditions. We have found the ROCNA to be a universally good anchor for a wide variety of conditions.

As stated before, the chain/ rode is jsut as important as the anchopr when anchoring.All that anchor with an incorrect length or size of chain deafeats the purpose.

We have 60 feet of chain as most of the water we anchor in is 30 ft or less. This allows the anchor to lie fairly still off the chain with some lying on the bottom before it starts the rise up to the boat. Off the 3/8 chain we have 300 ft of 5/8 plait anchor line
We akso carry another 250 ft of line if our depths to anchor in would increase.

Dave

[paul323]

Thanks for the feedback - good stuff. Clearly the right response is "it depends". Right now I am not going offshore, more like 1-3 days cruising around the Bay/Delta. Without a windlass, I am looking at lighter-weight options - a 55lb anchor with 100' of chain - my back aches at the thought of it! - and fairweather overnight anchoring.

Stu - I was developing my sizing based on the tables you posted. Matter of interest, what anchors do you have? I noticed the #22 Rocna in your sig.