On another Irwin
My I-37 came with a 35#CQR 30' of 3/8 Galvanized chain and 270' of 9/16 Sampson Gold Line and no windlass. I have since upgraded. I now have 3 anchors forward, a 45#CQR, an FX37 Fortress in the mud setting, and a 44# Bruce. I have an electric windlass and my primary rode is 330' of 5/16" HT Galvanized chain, and the secondary rode is 30' of 3/8" Chain and 330' 0f 5/8" chain. If I were doing it all over now however I would probably buy a 45# or so ROCNA anchor and use the all chain rode I am using. The all chain rode is more popular with cruising sailors because it doesn't get cut by coral or sharp rocks or whatever, and because of the weight allows you to anchor at a shorter stay like 5:1(for crowded harbors). (There is nothing worse to see than a boat who comes late to a crowded harbor where most boats are using all chain rode and are setting on 5:1; and he anchors on a stranded anchor rode. He is either going to swing into someone, or will drag when the wind comes up.) I always use a rope bridal however, with a chainhook, to put a little elasticity into the chain. When the galvanize starts to go on one end of the chain I end for end it, and get twice the life out of it, I have also had it re-galvanized once. I used the 5/16 HT instead of 3/8 regular chain to minimize the weight but it costs a little more. I have anchored a lot in the 14 years I have owned the boat and believe you shouldn't skimp on your anchoring gear. Joe
My I-37 came with a 35#CQR 30' of 3/8 Galvanized chain and 270' of 9/16 Sampson Gold Line and no windlass. I have since upgraded. I now have 3 anchors forward, a 45#CQR, an FX37 Fortress in the mud setting, and a 44# Bruce. I have an electric windlass and my primary rode is 330' of 5/16" HT Galvanized chain, and the secondary rode is 30' of 3/8" Chain and 330' 0f 5/8" chain. If I were doing it all over now however I would probably buy a 45# or so ROCNA anchor and use the all chain rode I am using. The all chain rode is more popular with cruising sailors because it doesn't get cut by coral or sharp rocks or whatever, and because of the weight allows you to anchor at a shorter stay like 5:1(for crowded harbors). (There is nothing worse to see than a boat who comes late to a crowded harbor where most boats are using all chain rode and are setting on 5:1; and he anchors on a stranded anchor rode. He is either going to swing into someone, or will drag when the wind comes up.) I always use a rope bridal however, with a chainhook, to put a little elasticity into the chain. When the galvanize starts to go on one end of the chain I end for end it, and get twice the life out of it, I have also had it re-galvanized once. I used the 5/16 HT instead of 3/8 regular chain to minimize the weight but it costs a little more. I have anchored a lot in the 14 years I have owned the boat and believe you shouldn't skimp on your anchoring gear. Joe