All chain rode for '67 E30?

[Paul Furlong]

I would like to determine if my 1967 30' Ericson was originaly designed to carry a full chain rode. With 100' of 5/16 and 300' or nylon it seems to ride fairly high in the bow. All chain (300' of 1/4")with a windless would seem the easiest way to go and perhaps it was designed for that? Is there a way to ask the current Ericson manufacturer this question? Would putting a level on the vberth beds and then adding weight till it achieved level determine how much weight the bow is meant to hold? I would like to meet other 1967 30' owners and exchange emails so we can share info. I have made improvements that would fun to share (turning the cockpit into a terrific under the stars sleeping berth, and replacing the interior liner with hard shell finish and wood trim).

 

[John Eddy]

A vote for all chain rode

I own a 1968 E30 and I use 200' of 3/8 chain, and 180' of nylon rode. Yeah it's overkill but fairly cheap insurance since we like to take long hikes when we are out cruising. I also use a Bruce anchor. No, I don't have a windlass, but try to anchor in shallow enough water so I don't kill myself. I do sleep very well with this arrangement. I think the boat trims out with the weight in the bow, she sails "flatter" with all chain.My boat has been repainted, mast included. I recently re-rigged the boat myself. Had good luck with West Marine rigging shop in Seattle. The boat feels stiffer now, and points better.Good luck and I hope this helps

 

[Bob]

Like the idea also

I have 2 anchoring systems on my Ericson 29', the one that was on the boat when I bought it is 50' of 1/4" chain, I had to add 30', and about 200' of 1/2" nylon rode. I did not feel very comfortable with this arrangement, even though after I checked it out and found that this was the size gear recommended for storm conditions for this size boat. I finally put 100' of 3/8" chain with 200' of 3/4" nylon rode which I use if I plan to be away from the boat for any length of time. I also do not have a windlass and I just try to take my time when weighing anchor, so far no problems but the chain can get a little heavy. When I put this system onboard I was also worried about the trim of the boat but was very pleased to see that it didn't seem to make any difference at all in the way that she sits in the water. I have noticed that when I am sailing through swells she seems to punch through easier with the extra weight in the bow.

 

[Eddie]

anchor rode

The type of anchor system has little to do with the design of the boat especially a production boat. An all chain rode is an upgrade made by many who want to do some serious long term anchoring. The added expense and extra difficulty, in the event of a windless failure, is also a consideration. A good compromise is a combination rope and chain rode using larger gage than is required in the rope. The larger rope is not only a good fail safe against breakage but is also earsier to grip than a smaller one.

 

[Night Sailor2]

All Chain is good with Nylon Snubber

You want to carry your chain as low as possible. If you intend to go offshore on long ocean passages, you should remove the chain and anchors from the bow and stow them low in the center of the boat. That is a good idea even for rope rhode. Unless you tie off the coil with small stuff, it is sure to get tangled after 1500 miles of bouncing around.All chain gives you more anchoring options, I love it, but if it goes bar-taut, it will rip your bow off. This happens! Having both options it good.If you install a large eye bolt with reinforced backing plate just above the waterline, and then attach a stretchy 15' nylon snubber line to this and your anchor chain, it will reduce your scope, or give you better holding, and act as a shock absorber. I wrap the rope around one of those rubber things they sell of shock abosrbing at the dock for extra shock absorbtion.The chain from the snubber on up to the deck will be a back up and act like a sentinel. The disadvantage to this scheme is this proturding eyebolt can snag on things when you are docking. Choose the height you install it accordingly.