Anchor chain for Catalina 320

[Tenedos]

Anchoring a few times with my newly bought Catalina 320 got me concerned and I am planning to switch to a all chain rode. I usually anchor at 20 feet at max and if I already have 30 feet of chain, so I am looking for buying another 50 feet and adding it.

However, I am a little confused. The chain I have is G4 but I am struggling to measure its diameter/thickness. Here is a photo:

I looked at chains at Home Depot (I didn't want to go West Marine, a lot more expensive) but I couldn't find anything similar to this. The ones I have seen had longer individual chains.

I have a few questions:

• Anyone has an idea what size this chain is?
• I read about gypsies but my Catalina 320 has an anchor windlass that looks like a plain winch. Can I use any chain on it or does it have to be a specific size?
• I am planning to go for galvanized chain, will it be ok?
• What diameter should I use?
• I am also confused by the maximum load capacity. For instance 5/8 BBB chain has a working load limit of 1900 lbs. This seems too low, what is the working load limit I should be looking for?

Ideas and suggestions welcome.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Stu Jackson]

My first impression on reading your questions was: Home Depot?!? What is he thinking!!!

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...atalogId=10001&page=Anchor-Rodes#.UdhAfm3fL_I

and

Anchor System Sizing Tables (Reply #6) http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4990.0.htmlhttp://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4990.msg30400.html#msg30400

The length of the links you show in your picture is only half of the equation, we also need to know the thickness of the links, which determines the chain size. 1/4" in most cases should be just fine for your boat, given the second link I provided for you.

Anchor chain loads are also given in that second link, as well as rode strength and shackle sizes.

All chandlery catalogs (West & Defender) will give you the working loads of the different chain they sell.

You have to ask yourself: "What's my entire boat worth to me?" Save a few bucks on chain at Home Depot or buy quality chain from a reputable vendor and sleep soundly on your boat.

If that's still not clear: Do NOT buy anchor chain at Home Depot.

A windlass with a capstan but no gypsy won't handle chain unless you manually wrap the chain, which could ruin the capstan.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...gId=10001&page=Anchor-Windlasses#.UdhCim3fL_I

Good luck.

 

[redhead78]

Looks like 3/8" G-4 to me....Red