Anchor Chain Length?

[Tim Good]

I'm bringing my 26ft Beneteau round to the Bristol Channel at the end of the year and thinking I will need to up my chain length. Currently down in Dartmouth I have 10m 8mm with another 40m warp.

I doubt this is going to be suffice for the BC. Anyone recommend how much I should get? 20m chain ok or should I be looking at even more?

In terms of cruising style we like to anchor a lot and dry out on occasion.

 

[sailorman]

rise of tide + depth of water anchored in + a minimum of X 3 = length req
i have just bought home 60m x 8 m/m chain + 50m 16 m/m anchor plait from our C I cruise & put back my East Coast rig of 20m x 8m/m chain + 30m 16m/m anchor plait

 

[Coaster]

We have 45m of 8mm chain plus a separate 50m length of 16mm octoplait ready to shackle on. In the three years we've owned our present boat the 45m of chain has always been sufficient. The octoplait remains unused.

Where we are based, at Milford Haven, the typical tidal range on springs is about 6m. We anchor some 50 to 100 times each year, generally for daytime stops and for overnighting.

In practice many anchor rode lengths are determined by chain locker sizes. How much 8mm chain will fit in yours? I doubt that you'd be able to use an all-chain rode, in which case stick to your present arrangement. If the current overall length proves insufficient, which it probably will, buy a suitable piece of 12mm octoplait and splice it to the 10m of chain.

10m of chain should be sufficient to ensure a horizontal pull on the anchor in most conditions. If you need to anchor in up to 15m of water I'd get at least 60m of rope.

 

[bert49uk]

here in Ilfracombe most of us have 50 mtrs of 8 mm with rope, the 50 mtrs is usually enough, mostly we use 30-40 mtrs

 

[Alcyone]

We carry 50m 8mm chain. I'd agree with the above post, probably 30-40m is usual. Can't think I've put all 50m out since I bought it 4 years ago.

I'd rather have it and not need it, though, as opposed to the other way around.

 

[Tim Good]

Thanks for the replies. Has anyone got any experience in extending existing chain using this chain link connectors? I assume they are tested and rated so should be ok?

 

[wakeup]

We carry 50m 8mm chain. I'd agree with the above post, probably 30-40m is usual. Can't think I've put all 50m out since I bought it 4 years ago.

I'd rather have it and not need it, though, as opposed to the other way around.

Agreed, I have 60m of 8mm chain only, usually only need to deploy 30m to 40m depending upon location.

 

[Freshbreeze]

Agreed, I have 60m of 8mm chain only, usually only need to deploy 30m to 40m depending upon location.

+1, for 60m 8mm chain. with this you can anchor pretty much anywhere you want

 

[wotayottie]

Thanks for the replies. Has anyone got any experience in extending existing chain using this chain link connectors? I assume they are tested and rated so should be ok?

I have 60m of chain and it is extended with a link. I would not recommend it if you have a windlass- the pukka 8mm link that I bought is a slightly different size and shape to a normal 8mm link and stops the chain articulating unless you do some filing.In which case what are you doing to its strength?