2007 36 chain & Rode

[seadaddler]

I want to add more chain to my new 36 with windlessand defender told me they can remove the chain fromthe factory line and weave a new length of chain.What size and type of chain and what size line do I need to use.Or just order all new chain and line

 

[Terry Cox]

Some questions:

1. I see no rope or chain in your locker, so is everything new?2. Your article implies that you're adding?3. What does Defender mean when they say they will weave a new length of chain?Assuming that you are adding here is what I did on our boat:1. I replaced the original 30 feet of high test 5/16th inch chain with 50 feet of the same quality and size.2. I removed one of the old links and took it to the chain shop to make sure they sized it right. This is important because the windlass gypsy on our boat is designed to handle a certain size. I would not rely on a chain size from another boat even if it were the same make and model.3. I think our rode is either 4/8th or 5/8th inch three strand nylon. Either size should handle your boat just fine. We have 250 feet with a colored marker every 30 feet. If you have rode that is in good condition I would keep it rather than buy new.4. I prefer our rope to chain shackle than a splice mainly for strength. Terry

 

[chuckwayne]

check the windlass specs

Seadaddler,Terry's covered the important points-defender is offering to splice your rode to a new length of chain with the right splice to go thru your windlass-that's the way it's done. be sure you get the exact spec chain that the windlass calls for. On our 356 with the stock Lewmar windlass, it's 5/16" G-4-but check the book. our windlass is optimized for 9/16" line, but that's less critical-it's the chain that has to be exact. BTW, why not hav eyour dealer deliver your boat with what you want- that's what we did-he took off the stock Hunter stuff and gave us the rode we wanted, to our specs.

 

[Honeyman]

I've got to ask...

exactly what mfg./model windlass is being delivered with the new 36 Hunter, Lewmar? It looks like a "vertical" configuration. I do think I would rely on the mfg. for my rope/chain specs. And for what it's worth Terry, a rope to chain splice is supposed to be stronger than a rope/shackle/chain connection any day. Looking forward to other comments...

 

[AndyK]

Honeyman is correct

As far as re-using the line from Hunter - I would suggest you keep the anchor, and rode Hunter provides as a spare stored below. It is really nothing more than a lunch hook anyway. Gind yourself an anchor appropriate for your bottom type and boat size. I chose a 22lb Delta for my H33.I went through all of this last year on my H33. I simply looked up the chain and line specs in my windlass manual. It was easy to find and specifically states what the gypsy can handle. However...the amount of chain and line you require depends on many factors. Too many to list here as there are good websites to discuss this topic if you simply google them.I did choose 75 feet of chain and 300 feet of a braited line. The braited line 'falls' into the anchor well better relieving the stacking problem I had been previously experiencing. I bought from Hamilton Marine (http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/) and had them splice the chain and braited line together. Chain splicing braited line is significantly more difficult than a 3-strand line so I left it to the professionals. They delivered a completed, ready to go rode.Getting that much chain and line into the well can be difficult. I used a cart to wheel it out to the boat while still in the yard. I then used the Windlass to pick it up from the box directly into the well. If you are in a slip you can probably do the same thing.Good luck and feel free to ask more questionsAndy

 

[seadaddler]

Thanks guys

I guess I was waiting to here from other 36 owners on what they have on their boats and what they think.Yes it is a new 2007 36 just went into the shop for commissioning,and have been thinking for a while about having more chain.I guess I need to check thing's out and see what came from hunteron the boat,I do already have an extra delta anchor with chain and line.Andy you have a 32 delta on your 33 and I think my 36 came witha 22 delta,how does it fit on the anchor roller and what came with the boat from hunter. Nick

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persistence]

Seadaddler - 22 Delta too small!

I used the stock 22 delta until I drug one night. I have a dodger and that adds a lot of wind resistance and drag. Get you a 44 lb delta and save the stock 22 and rode for a spare. The 44 will fit fine on your bow.I use the standard 30 feet of chain that came with mine on the 44 and it holds very good in Ky Lake. I would get 150 feet of chain, a snubber, and another 150 of rope rode if I were cruising in SW Florida.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Also consider all-chain

There's a reason skippers with all chain rode look smug in anchorages. I found out. Wish I would have done it 20 years ago.

 

[abe]

I have 275ft of chain on H36 ...no problem with wt

...keeps me safe at night and swing less.abe

 

[Al - s/v Persephone]

All-chain rode on 05H36

Seadaddler -I have 275ft (3 shots plus 5ft) of 5/16" G4 chain on my 05H36 (from !st Chain Supply at a great price, considering that shipping is included).With the 35lb Delta that I use as my primary bower, it adds a little over 300lbs to the bow. With the H36's sinkage rate of 1172lbs/inch, it has only a slight effect (less than 1/2 inch down measured at the stem, with almost no lift at the stern).(A full 75gal water tank is 600lbs in the bow, so it's just equivalent to an additional 1/2 tank of water.)That's a small price to pay for reduced swinging room and for ameliorating the concern I felt the first time I watched the chain-to-nylon joint hesitate a bit too much when going into the wildcat on the windlass. The downside is that you _must_ use a length of nylon (or braid) to secure the bitter end link to the mooring eye in the anchor locker (I use a fisherman's bend), so you can cut it to easily slip cable if in extremis (meaning all that lovely chain goes, but you can save a more valuable boat). I use a couple of old (but almost new) zincs on the end of a length of (floating) poly line that goes through the hole in a fishing net float to attach to the anchor, creating a self-adjusting marker for that eventuality and a trip line (which I haven't found necessary as long as I motor up to right over the anchor).I marked the chain with red, white and blue rings on each shot of chain; single rings on the first shot, double rings on the second shot, and triple rings on the third shot. Thus 1 red ring is 5 fathoms, 1 white ring is 10 fathoms and 1 blue ring is 15 fathoms. Two red rings is 20 fathoms, etc. The admiral can remember red, white and blue in that order, and number of rings is also easy to remember.I always use a bridle from a chain grabber to both bow cleats to act as a snubber - don't ever rely on chain-to-boat connections (especially to the windlass) to take your boat's pitching loads.I keep the stock 150ft of nylon plus 15ft of chain that came with the boat as a spare, and (more importantly) as the rode in the stern locker for my Fortress stern anchor/kedge.

 

[AndyK]

Your decision

I mis-quoted my size. I originally said 32lbs, I meant 22lbs. Same as what you have. If I am concerned about dragging I will always rig a second anchor and attempt to balance the loads between the two. On occasion I have had the need to rig a bahamian moor in tight anchorages with tidal currents or forecasted wind changes.My H33 originally came with a fluke-style anchor with a 15'-20' chain and 150' 3-strand line. Barely sufficient as a lunch hook in our area (Salem, MA).As mentioned marking your rode at depth intervals is a great way to take the guessing out of how much to let out.The links below are pretty good at explaining pros and cons of rode types. Be wary of people who try to tell you what to get. They mean well but everybody thinks they have found the best anchoring solution. What they mean is they have found the best solution for where they sail, with their crew, on their boat type and size, in the weather they will anchor out in. There are many factors to consider and ultimately you must make your own decision.http://www.sailnet.com/forums/seamanship-articles/18996-dueling-rodes.htmlhttp://www.rocna.com/boat-anchors/anchoring-in-2007.html http://www.sailnet.com/forums/miscellaneous/21957-anchor-rodes.html

 

[Honeyman]

seadaddler...

I'd sure go 33 lb. minimum on the hook and consider what others have said about keeping original 22 as backup. Some say use chain at least the length of your boat for a combination rode. All chain is absolutely the best, but not for "everyone". As AndyK says, I'd sure check with as many people in your intended "cruising" area to see what is common. Channel Islands to Gulf Coast to Kentucky to Long Island to Mass. is a LOT of ground to be considering. I would still change to at least 33 lb. hook!!!