I intend to replace my 22# danforth anchor with a 45# CQR (with 25' of 3/8 chain) on my Hunter 380. Would 1/2" 3-strand nylon rode be adequate, or should I go up to 5/8"? By the way, all of my sailing is on the Chesapeake and I will probably need no more than 200' of nylon line.
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Tough to handle
Half inch is marginally adequate, but the fact that you are picking a forty-five pound anchor suggests that you are trying to build in a safety margin for unexpected storms or whatever. That anchor is not a "lunch hook"! Good choice. Although that line will almost certainly never break (if not subject to chafe or abuse), it will get stressed beyond its design. There are differences of informed opinion on this, but the manufacturers say that line should not be stressed repeatedly beyond 11% percent of its breaking strength. And you will reach that load in less than 30 knots of wind. Perhaps even more important, the 5/8 line will give you a margin for some of the inevitable wear and CHAFE that your anchor line will experience. And it will be much, much easier to handle. I would go so far as to say that if you are raising the anchor by hand, don't even think of lifting that chain and anchor with half inch, particularly in a blow, even with gloves on. The thicker line is much easier to grip. By the way, this is based on my own experience raising a Bruce 33 by hand with each type of line.
Half inch is marginally adequate, but the fact that you are picking a forty-five pound anchor suggests that you are trying to build in a safety margin for unexpected storms or whatever. That anchor is not a "lunch hook"! Good choice. Although that line will almost certainly never break (if not subject to chafe or abuse), it will get stressed beyond its design. There are differences of informed opinion on this, but the manufacturers say that line should not be stressed repeatedly beyond 11% percent of its breaking strength. And you will reach that load in less than 30 knots of wind. Perhaps even more important, the 5/8 line will give you a margin for some of the inevitable wear and CHAFE that your anchor line will experience. And it will be much, much easier to handle. I would go so far as to say that if you are raising the anchor by hand, don't even think of lifting that chain and anchor with half inch, particularly in a blow, even with gloves on. The thicker line is much easier to grip. By the way, this is based on my own experience raising a Bruce 33 by hand with each type of line.
unusual
Do you have a windlass? If not, getting that 45# CQR up is going to be problematic, especially with 3/8" chain. And it would be unusual to attach 1/2" three-strand to 3/8" chain; you'll be oversizing the anchor and chain and undersizing the nylon. I should think that a better combo for your boat would be a 35# CQR with 40' of 5/16" chain backed by 200' of 5/8" nylon. Even there, without a windlass you'll be missing the Danforth. If you don't have a windlass, you might look into Fortress anchors, and if you do have a windlass, the gypsy probably won't handle 3/8" chain. Check the manual.
Do you have a windlass? If not, getting that 45# CQR up is going to be problematic, especially with 3/8" chain. And it would be unusual to attach 1/2" three-strand to 3/8" chain; you'll be oversizing the anchor and chain and undersizing the nylon. I should think that a better combo for your boat would be a 35# CQR with 40' of 5/16" chain backed by 200' of 5/8" nylon. Even there, without a windlass you'll be missing the Danforth. If you don't have a windlass, you might look into Fortress anchors, and if you do have a windlass, the gypsy probably won't handle 3/8" chain. Check the manual.
I have 33# in Chesapeake
on my 37.5 and it's tough going to raise it by hand. Especially in deeper water. So far I've had no problems with drag, etc. with that size. I also have a danforth anchor as a backup in a storm, etc. I've sailed most of the bay. I'm going to check on what rode size I have. My boat came with 2 lines, one huge, the other manageable. I've been using the smaller one and I think that its 1/2". Needless to say, I'm looking at adding a windlasses in the short term.
on my 37.5 and it's tough going to raise it by hand. Especially in deeper water. So far I've had no problems with drag, etc. with that size. I also have a danforth anchor as a backup in a storm, etc. I've sailed most of the bay. I'm going to check on what rode size I have. My boat came with 2 lines, one huge, the other manageable. I've been using the smaller one and I think that its 1/2". Needless to say, I'm looking at adding a windlasses in the short term.
Forgot to mention that I do have a winlass
I should have mentioned that I do have an electric winlass, so my choice of a 45# CQR won't be as difficult to raise out of the water. The "specs" on the 35# CQR say that it could handle a boat my size, but I'd rather err on the heavy side and keep my lighter danforth as a backup. I tried to measure the existing chain on the danforth and I believe it's 3/8", but I'll have to check it again this weekend. I'm sure that the existing nylon rode is 1/2". My thinking is that 5/8" line with the heavier CQR would make a better match. Does that make sense? By the way, thanks to all of you who have responded. Your advice has been helpful.
I should have mentioned that I do have an electric winlass, so my choice of a 45# CQR won't be as difficult to raise out of the water. The "specs" on the 35# CQR say that it could handle a boat my size, but I'd rather err on the heavy side and keep my lighter danforth as a backup. I tried to measure the existing chain on the danforth and I believe it's 3/8", but I'll have to check it again this weekend. I'm sure that the existing nylon rode is 1/2". My thinking is that 5/8" line with the heavier CQR would make a better match. Does that make sense? By the way, thanks to all of you who have responded. Your advice has been helpful.
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