wiggy
Well-Known Member
Simple question, my boat is 31ft weights about 4 tonne and I only anchor in protected areas, up the River Dart for example. What chain size should I get?
Anchor chain size
- Thread starter wiggy
- Start date
fredrussell
Well-Known Member
I have 8mm on my same sized boat, but I’ve been told I’d get away with 6mm. Mine is light displacement boat.
ditchcrawler
Well-Known Member
I have a 31 footer like you and replaced my old 6mm chain with new 6mm grade 40 chain after discussion with the guys at Eye Co on the East Coast. I do similar anchoring to you. I use a Rocna anchor.
shaunksb
Well-Known Member
Do you have a windlass?
If so manual or electric?
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If so manual or electric?
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wiggy
Well-Known Member
Yes and no, yes I did have a windlass, it self distracted and was unrepairable. I did have 8mm chain with a South Pacific V1000 but fancy a Lewmar V700, it only takes 6 or 7mm chain, hence my question.
shaunksb
Well-Known Member
7mm would be fine then.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
It may be imagination but isn't 7mm less easily available ?
Good quality 6mm sounds practical for 31ft inshore.
Good quality 6mm sounds practical for 31ft inshore.
wiggy
Well-Known Member
Jimmy Green have 7mm 7mm DIN766 MF Grade 40 Calibrated Anchor Chain
ditchcrawler
Well-Known Member
My windlass gypsy says 6/7 mm. The 6mm chain fitted better.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
6mm G30 will be fine (if you use a snubber should conditions dictate). If you want to buy 6mm G40 it will also be fine.
The smaller chain will allow you to use a smaller motor on any new windlass which will demand less power, smaller wires etc etc.
The way you describe your anchoring and yacht you don't need strength - as the conditions are never going to stress 6mm G30. If you get caught in a freak wind event - a decent snubber, boat length so 10m of 8mm or 10mm 3 ply nylon will absorb the snatches.
The, or an, advantage of 6mm is that its a breeze to retrieve by hand, simply store in a decent bucket or milk crate (whatever fits).
We use 6mm G80 on a 38' x 22'6" cat weight 7t (and a Maxwell RC8-6 windlass). One major advantage of the Maxwell is retrieval speed - we can retrieve all of our rode, 75m, in under 3 minutes.
I don't know the seabeds in your location but a small Fortress sounds ideal - especially if you hand deploy and retrieve. If you were to consider a Rocna/Knox - you will need a very good deck wash for river anchorages (mud?)
Jonathan
The smaller chain will allow you to use a smaller motor on any new windlass which will demand less power, smaller wires etc etc.
The way you describe your anchoring and yacht you don't need strength - as the conditions are never going to stress 6mm G30. If you get caught in a freak wind event - a decent snubber, boat length so 10m of 8mm or 10mm 3 ply nylon will absorb the snatches.
The, or an, advantage of 6mm is that its a breeze to retrieve by hand, simply store in a decent bucket or milk crate (whatever fits).
We use 6mm G80 on a 38' x 22'6" cat weight 7t (and a Maxwell RC8-6 windlass). One major advantage of the Maxwell is retrieval speed - we can retrieve all of our rode, 75m, in under 3 minutes.
I don't know the seabeds in your location but a small Fortress sounds ideal - especially if you hand deploy and retrieve. If you were to consider a Rocna/Knox - you will need a very good deck wash for river anchorages (mud?)
Jonathan
NormanS
Well-Known Member
My boat hasn't dragged an inch since last October. ☺ Mind you I have all my 65m rode out, but I don't think the size of my chain is making any difference. ?