I need to replace the anchor chain on my 1984 Hunter 31, it currently has a Danforth Anchor. It currently has about 20' of 5/16" chain. I have read info that suggest up to 100', is more always better? Also, should I use hot dipped Galvanived or plated Zinc or is there some other coating that works best?
What type of chain rode to use?
- Thread starter alumrock
- Start date
- Status
Hernia!
The only purpose of the chain rode is to lay down the teeth of the anchor so they set into the bottom. Six feet of orange plastic-covered rode at Home Depot or Lowe's will do the job and not nick the fiberglas.
The only purpose of the chain rode is to lay down the teeth of the anchor so they set into the bottom. Six feet of orange plastic-covered rode at Home Depot or Lowe's will do the job and not nick the fiberglas.
lots of info on search
Chain, rode and anchors have been discussed a zillion times in the archives, lots of good info that would take forever to repeat here. After extensive research, reading, asking here, I have 50 ft. of 5/16" h.t. galvanized chain spliced to 250 ft. of 5/8" 3 strand rode with a 35 lbs. Rocna anchor on a Hunter 33.
Chain, rode and anchors have been discussed a zillion times in the archives, lots of good info that would take forever to repeat here. After extensive research, reading, asking here, I have 50 ft. of 5/16" h.t. galvanized chain spliced to 250 ft. of 5/8" 3 strand rode with a 35 lbs. Rocna anchor on a Hunter 33.
Same Here
We carry 60 feet 5/16 Dipped with 200 feet 5/8 three strand. We carry a 33lb plow, 22lb bruce style and the fortress. We also have about a hundered or so feet of smaller line we can attach to any of the anchors if we want to set up so we don't swing too much. My question is how many of you use a trip line on your anchors?
We carry 60 feet 5/16 Dipped with 200 feet 5/8 three strand. We carry a 33lb plow, 22lb bruce style and the fortress. We also have about a hundered or so feet of smaller line we can attach to any of the anchors if we want to set up so we don't swing too much. My question is how many of you use a trip line on your anchors?
Chain
alumrock, you should use hot-dip galvanized. Quality chain is ACCO or similar made-in-the-USA. Avoid like the plague anything made in China (which is probably anything suspiciously cheap - you get what you pay for). If the chain isn't branded, demand to see certification, and if it can't be provided, avoid. You will probably want BBB or G40/hi-test. If you are paranoid about weight you could track down high tensile (stronger so can be lighter). You probably don't need that much in terms of length. If you don't have a windlass you will want to minimize the chain length, so make sure you have some good quality nylon or polyester rope behind it - 8-plait is best, 3-strand not so ideal. Follow the link.
alumrock, you should use hot-dip galvanized. Quality chain is ACCO or similar made-in-the-USA. Avoid like the plague anything made in China (which is probably anything suspiciously cheap - you get what you pay for). If the chain isn't branded, demand to see certification, and if it can't be provided, avoid. You will probably want BBB or G40/hi-test. If you are paranoid about weight you could track down high tensile (stronger so can be lighter). You probably don't need that much in terms of length. If you don't have a windlass you will want to minimize the chain length, so make sure you have some good quality nylon or polyester rope behind it - 8-plait is best, 3-strand not so ideal. Follow the link.
Just a foot note, I would steer clear of...
zinc plated stuff in a marine environment. High test (G40) 5/16th hot dip galvanized should be plenty strong. If you go G70, you could get by with 1/4 inch and end up with less weight to contend with, but sometimes the heavier chain weight works better in adverse anchoring situations. If you plan on cruising in tropical waters where coral laden anchorages can destroy rope in a hurry, all chain rode would be a better choice. Otherwise, 30 to 50 feet of chain should be adequate. Terry
zinc plated stuff in a marine environment. High test (G40) 5/16th hot dip galvanized should be plenty strong. If you go G70, you could get by with 1/4 inch and end up with less weight to contend with, but sometimes the heavier chain weight works better in adverse anchoring situations. If you plan on cruising in tropical waters where coral laden anchorages can destroy rope in a hurry, all chain rode would be a better choice. Otherwise, 30 to 50 feet of chain should be adequate. Terry
How and where you anchor should ...
dictate the weight and length of your chain rode. The purpose of the chain rode is to maintain the angle of pull as close to horizontal as possible. This helps holding and setting and resetting of the anchor. Another factor which also influences the angle of pull is the scope utilized. The way it works is that as the weight of the chain increases the required scope may be decreased. Most quality chains today in various sizes have the tensile strength to hold the pulling power of a sailboat (20'-40'). What the lighter chains won't do as the size of the boat and the forces increase is to maintain a proper angle of pull. You need to determine what are your usual anchoring needs. If you anchor frequently in a crowded basin with not so ggod holding ground and partially open or exposed to heavy winds from one quadrant of the compass then you would be better of with a relatively long and heavy chain. On the other hand if you anchor in a not so crowded large cove, fairly protected from the wind you can probaly use a shorter lighter chain and compensate by adding scope. We carry storm tackle, but I would not want to be using it every day. I carry an extra 100' of 3/8 inch chain in the bottom of the locker with shackles ready to go. But on my rode I only carry 25' of 5/16 inch with 200' of 3/8 inch three strand rope. This allows me to cover a wide range of anchoring situations without breaking my back.
dictate the weight and length of your chain rode. The purpose of the chain rode is to maintain the angle of pull as close to horizontal as possible. This helps holding and setting and resetting of the anchor. Another factor which also influences the angle of pull is the scope utilized. The way it works is that as the weight of the chain increases the required scope may be decreased. Most quality chains today in various sizes have the tensile strength to hold the pulling power of a sailboat (20'-40'). What the lighter chains won't do as the size of the boat and the forces increase is to maintain a proper angle of pull. You need to determine what are your usual anchoring needs. If you anchor frequently in a crowded basin with not so ggod holding ground and partially open or exposed to heavy winds from one quadrant of the compass then you would be better of with a relatively long and heavy chain. On the other hand if you anchor in a not so crowded large cove, fairly protected from the wind you can probaly use a shorter lighter chain and compensate by adding scope. We carry storm tackle, but I would not want to be using it every day. I carry an extra 100' of 3/8 inch chain in the bottom of the locker with shackles ready to go. But on my rode I only carry 25' of 5/16 inch with 200' of 3/8 inch three strand rope. This allows me to cover a wide range of anchoring situations without breaking my back.
- Status