Sailboat gear on the brain

josrulz · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009

Last night, I had a dream that one of my coworkers (who does not sail as far as I know) was showing me which anchor chain and rope rode he had purchased for his Sabre 34 Mk I (not-so-coincidentally the same model as our new boat). OK, that means I've got this stuff WAY too much on my brain. Not surprising, I suppose, with all the research that goes into figuring out what we need to buy, fix, update, etc., when you've just purchased a boat. But this is getting ridiculous. We need spring to come so I can actually be sailing instead of dreaming about boat parts.

For what it's worth, the chain was 5/16 HT and the 9/16 3-strand.

chucklesR · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009

Hook up with Craigtoo here on sailnet, he's got the same boat, about the same year if not exactly the same and is in Maryland also. He just did a pretty dang decent refit of his boat.

I dream boat gear about once a week, the rest of the time it's sex.

xort · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucklesR

I dream boat gear about once a week, the rest of the time it's sex.

You dream about boat gear once a week and boat sex the rest of the time? Since you are a cat-guy, you must be a two-timer!!!

paulk · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009

I'm not so sure I wouldn't go with something heavier, just in case. Of course, in MY dreams, we're weathering a hurricane while holed up below with several friendly vixens, so we don't want to drag.

CharlieCobra · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009

Just don't get 150' of 5/16's for rode..... Ya ever try to hoist 100' of chain plus a 35# CQR without a windlass when nothing is on the bottom?

mgmhead · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009

Keep dreamin' Jim, I do. I'm dreamin' about more weekends spent on anchor this summer than last. While you're dreamin' you might as well dream about a BBQ grill, going to need one of those on anchor too. Well, maybe not need exactly, but what the heck-you're dreamin'.

josrulz · #7 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieCobra

Just don't get 150' of 5/16's for rode..... Ya ever try to hoist 100' of chain plus a 35# CQR without a windlass when nothing is on the bottom?

I'm on the Chesapeake, so no need for 150' of chain. I'm thinking more like 30' - 35' of chain and 200-250' of rope rode. Still pretty heavy if I had to haul it all up, but most of the time, we'll be anchoring in relatively shallow water.

mgmhead · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009

Jim, you'll be anchoring in 15' or less. With a scope of 7 to 1, and allowing for 5' of bow height, for a total of 20' from anchor roller to bottom, you shouldn't need more than 140' total. Given the bottom features of the Chesapeake you'll be well served with 10'-20' of chain IMHO.

More important will be the type of anchor. I would imagine your boat may come with a Danforth which is very good for the Bay. I also hear great things from those who have a Bruce. There's been a lot of talk on Sailnet about anchor styles, someone thinks the Ronca is the best thing since sliced bread...but I don't know anyone using one. For me, the Danforth has served well, on the recommendation of a cruising friend I'm going to give the Bruce a try this season. I'll let you know what my experience is.

All the best...MGM

josrulz · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgmhead

Jim, you'll be anchoring in 15' or less. With a scope of 7 to 1, and allowing for 5' of bow height, for a total of 20' from anchor roller to bottom, you shouldn't need more than 140' total. Given the bottom features of the Chesapeake you'll be well served with 10'-20' of chain IMHO.

More important will be the type of anchor. I would imagine your boat may come with a Danforth which is very good for the Bay. I also hear great things from those who have a Bruce. There's been a lot of talk on Sailnet about anchor styles, someone thinks the Ronca is the best thing since sliced bread...but I don't know anyone using one. For me, the Danforth has served well, on the recommendation of a cruising friend I'm going to give the Bruce a try this season. I'll let you know what my experience is.

All the best...MGM

Hey MGM, yeah the boat has a Fortress FX-16. It's a little small in my opinion. I'm familiar with Danforth holding, and I like having one on board. But not a big fan of it's tendency to pop out with 180 degree wind shifts (experienced this first hand). So we're not sure where that leave us, but we'll probably go with something that does better with quick resets as our primary, overnight/multi-day anchor on the bow. The Fortress will be a great secondary/back-up anchor--it's light weight make it easy to dig out of the locker when needed.

On the subject of grills (your other post), we received a great Christmas present of a West Marine gift certificate for that purpose. I suppose we could use it for anything, but since the boat doesn't have a grill, and we love grilling out, we might as well get one!

patrickrea · #10 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by josrulz

On the subject of grills (your other post), we received a great Christmas present of a West Marine gift certificate for that purpose. I suppose we could use it for anything, but since the boat doesn't have a grill, and we love grilling out, we might as well get one!

West Marine here in Toronto has the Stow And Go on sale for CDN$99. I just picked it up with a mount for less than I was going to pay for the 15" Magna kettle. And I get a larger cooking surface.