anchor chain / rope ( rode ) for caribbean

[Captain Ron24537]

We are planing a two year cruise to the caribbean. Our question for the week is how much chain should we have on our chain / rope rode? We would like to keep the weight down, but be safe at the same time. We have a 45 lbs Delta and a 66 lbs Bruse anchors on the bow of our whitby 42. If you crusie the caribbean waters please let us know what you are using.thanks.

 

[KennyH]

You need your boat length plus

I cruised for two years on a Cheoy Lee Clipper 33. It was 36 feet with the bow sprit. I started with 20 feet on both anchors which was a 35lb CQR and 35lb Danforth. I had problems almost immediately. Not enough chain was the problem. I purchased 50 feet of chain in Georgetown Bahamas and used a connector to combine the two 20 feet sections too 40+ feet on one and 50 on the other. Never had a problem with the anchors again including a 120MPH Hurricane in Georgetown. About 1 1/2 of your boat lenght to be safe so you would need around 63 feet on each anchor.