Hi Bob,
Here is what I do and we have been using this current arrangement nightly for over 4 months. We have experimented with several other options and this seems to work the best.
Our primary anchor is a 35 pound Manson Supreme. We are huge fans of new generation anchors and recommend them to anyone. We have 130 feet of 5/16 G4 chain backed by 200 feet of 3 strand line. The line is spliced to the chain. I put a U bolt in the forward part of the anchor locker and that is where I tie off the rode. I recommend you put some line on the back of the chain you have and tie that off to the cleat. That way you can release the anchor under load by cutting the line if you have too. Never connect the chain to the boat with a shackle. We have met several cruisers that have had to cut their anchor free for various reasons and go back to get it later.
We typically like to anchor in 10 feet of water or so and I will put out too much scope. Usually go for 90 feet if there is room. We are currently anchored in Salinas and it's crowded so we have 60 feet out in 10 feet of water. To set the anchor I wrap the chain around the starboard bow cleat. Once we have backed down at 2000 RPM and feel the hook is set, I take the chain off the bow cleat. I wrap the chain around the windlass 3 times and then secure it to the cleat in the anchor locker. Now I can close the anchor locker and set the bridle.
Our bridle consists of two 1/2" 5 foot legs. Each leg has a thimble spliced into one end and a eye spliced into the other end. I also have chafe guards up near the eye. The thimbles are connected to a Mantus chain hook. Best chain hook I have ever used the and most popular I have seen used by fellow cruisers. My bridle system is actually modelled after the Mantus bridle. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $150 on the bridle. The hook is only $20. Don't make the bridle out of line bigger than 1/2 inch. Our boat doesn't weigh enough for thicker line and it will loose all the stretch and shock absorbing.
To attach the bridle I connect the legs to the bow cleats running the line under the anchor roller. I then pull up about 8 feet of chain and connect the Mantus hook there. That way there is slack in the chain above the hook. On windy days I might have to put the boat in forward for a few seconds to slack the chain to attach the hook.
Andrew on Solace, another C310 cruising the Caribbean now and also from Boston does it a little different. He uses a Mantus hook on a single line. He puts it over the bow roller and ties it off to the cleat in the anchor locker. Both work just different approaches.
We experimented with different lengths on the bridle. We decided the least amount of sailing at anchor came from a short double bridle. The single bridle was second for swinging. But we know several cruisers who have chafed through bridles or had them outright break in heavy storms. So we wanted the double bridle setup. In fact we have a second Mantus hook that we will setup on a second, lazy bridle if we know weather is coming.
Hope this helps.
Fair winds,
Jesse
