I have a new Catalina 320 with an anchor windlass. I'd like to know what other 320 owners recommend using for anchor line and chain. How long is the line and how much chain?
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J
JOlson
chain and road
I have a 5/8 line (200') and 3/8 chain(20') on a35lb CQR plow ancor and It works great .But It is alittle bow heavey with the ancor on the bow sprit. I use a large rubber snuber to take up some of the shock from waves. I like the 5/8 line for pulling ancor and handleing the road but I think catalina recommends 1/2" nylon line with 15' of 1/4" chain. and I think a 25lb CQR would work fine and would lighten the bow.I have a18 lb danforth ancor with 1/2" road and 6' of 1/4" chain as back up and it also holds the boat very well I feel both ancors are over kill but on a dark night In a storm it nice to have a Big ancor hooked in the bottom. John Olson
I have a 5/8 line (200') and 3/8 chain(20') on a35lb CQR plow ancor and It works great .But It is alittle bow heavey with the ancor on the bow sprit. I use a large rubber snuber to take up some of the shock from waves. I like the 5/8 line for pulling ancor and handleing the road but I think catalina recommends 1/2" nylon line with 15' of 1/4" chain. and I think a 25lb CQR would work fine and would lighten the bow.I have a18 lb danforth ancor with 1/2" road and 6' of 1/4" chain as back up and it also holds the boat very well I feel both ancors are over kill but on a dark night In a storm it nice to have a Big ancor hooked in the bottom. John Olson
J
Jack
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Tom Soko
Maybe more chain?
Jack, If you have an anchor windlass, you're pretty much limited as to the size of chain to use. There should be only one size that fits the windlass? As to the length of chain, you might want to consider more than 10-15 feet. For holding power, more is better. Rule of thumb is at least one foot of chain for each foot of boat length. It's less than 3 lbs per foot, so unless you're adding hundreds of feet, it shouldn't effect trim. I used to have trouble setting anchors with the factory supplied 10' or so. I now have 40' of chain and 200' of 5/8" rode on my C36, and the anchor (bruce)holds all the time. World cruisers generally use all chain, but that's another discussion. Good Luck. Tom Soko Julandra #659
Jack, If you have an anchor windlass, you're pretty much limited as to the size of chain to use. There should be only one size that fits the windlass? As to the length of chain, you might want to consider more than 10-15 feet. For holding power, more is better. Rule of thumb is at least one foot of chain for each foot of boat length. It's less than 3 lbs per foot, so unless you're adding hundreds of feet, it shouldn't effect trim. I used to have trouble setting anchors with the factory supplied 10' or so. I now have 40' of chain and 200' of 5/8" rode on my C36, and the anchor (bruce)holds all the time. World cruisers generally use all chain, but that's another discussion. Good Luck. Tom Soko Julandra #659
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Kevin
New 320
Jack, I wish you the best of luck with your new 320. I expect to take delivery of my new 320 in May. Besides the anchor rode, any other items you have found which require special attention? Kevin
Jack, I wish you the best of luck with your new 320. I expect to take delivery of my new 320 in May. Besides the anchor rode, any other items you have found which require special attention? Kevin
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Pat
Jack, I have 80' 1/4 HT chain with a 22lb Delta on my 320. Works great and the weight is no problem. Pat
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RonD
New C320
Jack Congrats on the new C320! -- I have a 2001 model across the way from you in Salem Harbor (#831, the "Lady Jane"). Like "JOLson" I use a 35lb CQR as my primary anchor, with a 20 ft chain/200 ft 5/8" nylon rode combo (from West Marine). The 20' chain basically provides chafe protection from the bottom, plus slightly lowering the catenary to help keep the anchor set. I like the idea of a little heavier tackle, and the 5/8" line is easy to grip. However, you might consider a somewhat longer rope section -- say 250 ft -- to allow sufficient scope when anchoring in waters over 30 ft depth. I haven't found the weight to be an issue. However, be sure to tie down the anchor (a short line from the anchor to the locker cleat works fine) so it can't be inadvertantly knocked loose by a wave. Personally, I've never bothered to use the windlass. The factory windlass is set up for a rope-only rode, so that last 20ft of chain would have to be hauled by hand. The C320 Intl. association website (link) has a feature on modifying it, if interested. That group can also offer other hints/suggestions -- there's a good photo gallery to illustrate them, too. --Ron
Jack Congrats on the new C320! -- I have a 2001 model across the way from you in Salem Harbor (#831, the "Lady Jane"). Like "JOLson" I use a 35lb CQR as my primary anchor, with a 20 ft chain/200 ft 5/8" nylon rode combo (from West Marine). The 20' chain basically provides chafe protection from the bottom, plus slightly lowering the catenary to help keep the anchor set. I like the idea of a little heavier tackle, and the 5/8" line is easy to grip. However, you might consider a somewhat longer rope section -- say 250 ft -- to allow sufficient scope when anchoring in waters over 30 ft depth. I haven't found the weight to be an issue. However, be sure to tie down the anchor (a short line from the anchor to the locker cleat works fine) so it can't be inadvertantly knocked loose by a wave. Personally, I've never bothered to use the windlass. The factory windlass is set up for a rope-only rode, so that last 20ft of chain would have to be hauled by hand. The C320 Intl. association website (link) has a feature on modifying it, if interested. That group can also offer other hints/suggestions -- there's a good photo gallery to illustrate them, too. --Ron
F
Fred
I have a 2002 320. I converted my windlass to rope and chain. My ground tackle includes: 22# Delta, 30' 1/4" HT chain, and 250' 9/16" 3-strand nylon rope.
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