How much anchor chain should I have in Carribean?

Michael Davis · Sep 10, 2020

Here in the PNW the feeling is 350’ of rode is the minimum you should have. In places that have a lot of coral, chain is recommended. Three strand has more stretch and reduces shock loading in poor weather.
I use a swivel at the anchor to reduce twist.

Kings Gambit · Sep 10, 2020

efimki said:
I've got 2005 Beneteau 373 with 45' of anchor chain and 150' of 3-strand rode.

It works ok in the New England, but sometimes I get the chain twisting and jamming the windlass.
I've narrowed it down to the cases when I use the rope in addition to the chain.
I've read that 3-strand rope can twist under load and cause the chain to twist as well.
Does this sound plausible?

The suggested solutions are either to replace 3-strand rope with 8-strand, or replace the setup with all chain.

I'm planing to venture outside of New England at some point to do some island hopping in the Carribean.
Is this true, that for that I'll be better served with all chain setup?
How much chain should I get?

The boat is 37' with ~15,000lb displacement.

In my opinion, 200 to 300 ft of 5/16” chain backed by 9/16” nylon three-strand to total 400 ft either way. Insure there’s a good, appropriately sized, anchor at the business end. I’ve not seen untwisting, but my nylon at the end of 160 ft of chain rarely is in the water. Check out the ground-tackle equipment listed on the charter boats that operate there to see what they are using.

Kings Gambit · Sep 10, 2020

I like the SS chain, which I have now. Others have opinions against it regarding comparative strength. My answer is that the chain will likely not break before most anchors will begin to drag, or pull free. Quite a big difference between the holding power of an appropriately-sized anchor and the breaking point of appropriately-sized matching SS chain for your boat. SS chain does not kink at the windlass. It’s smooth so high piles do not form in the locker; mud does not stick so well, easy to wash away. It does not rust.

Ralph Johnstone · Sep 10, 2020

efimki said:
I've read that 3-strand rope can twist under load and cause the chain to twist as well.

Never had a problem with 3 strand rode and 5/16" chain twisting. We often use all 400 ft. of rode when anchoring in northern waters and no problems. Also don't use a swivel.

A thought might be to lay out all your rode at some time to ensure you don't have any twists from the get go.

Don S/V ILLusion · Sep 10, 2020

The Caribbean is a somewhat unique place compared with most of the US. All I can add is that chain will give you a lot more peace of mind while away from the boat or sleeping on it where coral is ubiquitous. Three stand is best used only as a snubber there.

Stu Jackson · Sep 10, 2020

efimki said:
Is this true, that for that I'll be better served with all chain setup?
How much chain should I get?

My friend Steve’s Anchoring 101

The Rocna. All 20kg of it with 100ft of chain. The rest of the world can debate all they like. When I pull into a place like Bodega Bay at midnight and the fog is so thick I can't see the jetty 50 feet away to make an entrance, I drop my hook in the rolling ocean swells with the surf crashing (Foster says it's like staying in a cheap Best Western beside the highway), and I sleep. And in the morning I have a windlass to pull the beast up and I wouldn't trade it for anything. (I also wouldn't add more chain - this works perfectly in 25 to 30 feet of water - you let all the chain out and you tie off nylon at the preferred scope and don't bother with snubbers and chain hooks and all that stuff...)

Maine Sail doesn't suggest swivels: Anchor System Sizing Tables (Reply #6) & Swivels Ground Tackle & Anchor System Sizing TABLES & Swivels

Go to www.cruisersforum.com They have many contributors who have BTDT.