Getting a second anchor and rode for the trip south and requesting feedback on how much chain most of you carry. I'm thinking of 100' of chain with 100' of rope. I'm on a Hunter 356.Thanks.
Florida bound
- Thread starter wyctoronto
- Start date
Largely a matter of personal preference how much chain is 'enough'. Just use a good snubber and you will be fine as there can be some nasty coral heads depending on where you go which love to eat rope.
I believe it depends on what kind of anchor you plan on using for the second anchor and will it be permanently mounted at the bow.
Where in FL are you going? Inside the barrier islands the anchorages are typically near 20 ft depth or less. A 5:1 scope at 20 ft would be 100 ft of something;--you wish chain--but 100 ft of nylon rode on 20 ft of leader chain would do just as well. To answer your question more precisely, we need to know where you're going. But, generally, your tackle sounds adequate.
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What is "BB" chain?
Maybe he decides to go with G-4 chain to save 20% in weight and is willing to pay the price over BBB.
Maybe we should do the math? I would want an all chain #1, G-4 5/16" minimum, 150', 50lb Spade type anchor, Same type anchor for #2. That is 100 lbs of chain + 50lbs of anchor for his #2 = 150 lbs on the bow.
The #1 would be 150 lbs of G-4 chain + 50lb anchor =200 lbs on the bow.
All up, his ground tackle would be more like 300lbs. That is a lot of weight to put on the very end of a 35' light displacement cruiser.
Maybe he decides to go with G-4 chain to save 20% in weight and is willing to pay the price over BBB.
Maybe we should do the math? I would want an all chain #1, G-4 5/16" minimum, 150', 50lb Spade type anchor, Same type anchor for #2. That is 100 lbs of chain + 50lbs of anchor for his #2 = 150 lbs on the bow.
The #1 would be 150 lbs of G-4 chain + 50lb anchor =200 lbs on the bow.
All up, his ground tackle would be more like 300lbs. That is a lot of weight to put on the very end of a 35' light displacement cruiser.
Not to worry. Academic arguments are always entertaining. Suffice it to say putting 100 feet of chain (the anchor weight is a constant) in a 7 ton displacement boat is a trivial concern. Most people have addd more than enough battery weight aft to counterbalance that if not more so.
I have 2007 H-36 and carry 90' of chain and a 35lb Mantus anchor and here on the west coast
I usually put out 60' and a good snubber with rode and hook on chain just as it touches the water but if I get a storm or really high wind the 90' chain is very good to have for sure.
Nick
I usually put out 60' and a good snubber with rode and hook on chain just as it touches the water but if I get a storm or really high wind the 90' chain is very good to have for sure.
Nick
On the way to Florida you may be anchoring in tidal rivers of Georgia with 8' tides. I've dropped in many places with 12' at low tide, 20' at high tide. I have 200' of chain and never need to go to my 200' of back up rode. Chain doesnt chafe!
I have 35 feet of chain and 100 feet of nylon rode with a 44 lb Delta and when enroute and in SW Florida had no problems.
I just spent the weekend anchored for 4 days and saw many boats with rode out and use a float showing where their anchor is located and good thing because many boats and dinghy go right over their rode and all the boats like me with lots of chain was not a problem for any other boats moving around in the anchorage and with chain the chain lays down and helps what ever anchor you have more than double holding.
I would say that the more chain you carry the more you will not drag and in SW Florida a 100' is good with extra rode.
Nick
I would say that the more chain you carry the more you will not drag and in SW Florida a 100' is good with extra rode.
Nick
Listen to Seadaddler. He lives and sails there all the time. He has a major good point about the chain laying on the bottom. There are a lot of boaters in Florida that have more boat than common sense.
Ever since I added chain I can not remember dragging and on one of our first cruises we were out in a tight
anchorage with a bridge one side and shallow on another side and we got hit with 20 -30 knts of wind and I was so worried that we never left the boat all day and had a 35 delta and with plenty of chain we never dragged.
And all my chain has helped stopped from sailing around on anchor and I got 90' but most times only use 60' and we sleep real good now.
My worst time anchored was in the Dry Tortugas and around 30' of chain and the rest was rode a storm hit at night and we dragged and almost ran aground and that was when I added the 90' of chain.
Nick
anchorage with a bridge one side and shallow on another side and we got hit with 20 -30 knts of wind and I was so worried that we never left the boat all day and had a 35 delta and with plenty of chain we never dragged.
And all my chain has helped stopped from sailing around on anchor and I got 90' but most times only use 60' and we sleep real good now.
My worst time anchored was in the Dry Tortugas and around 30' of chain and the rest was rode a storm hit at night and we dragged and almost ran aground and that was when I added the 90' of chain.
Nick
Do not fail to consider chain weight on your back as you pull the anchor up. Our preferred set up in Florida is 35' of chain with 150' of rope.
We are in the Tampa Bay area, and have 40' of chain and 200' of rode. Seems to be adequate. However, the boat does sail at anchor, and I may one day test the effects of that by going to 80' of chain. That will come after a riding sail.