Anchor equipment for Caribbean/Pacific cruising

I have done a lot of scuba diving in the Carribbean. Given the number of yacht anchors that get stuck in the coral I would suggest that a cheap and cheerful rig for everyday use may be a good idea with spare capacity also available.
 
AndrewB said:
Most surprised that galvanised chain is considered to have a short lifespan in coral waters. Ours was still going strong after 30 years (half of which in the tropics), looking very little the worse for wear. Of course, it was regalvanised every seven years or so. Has anyone else had problems with galvanised chain?
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Yes it agree. It is the loss of galvanising that is critical. This is more rapid in abrasive substates like coral waters.

Regalvanising chain is a good option, but it is getting harder to find companies prepared to do this at least for a realistic cost.
 
In Marquesas we encountered some very deep anchorages so lots of chain .... also in Caribbean some of the islands such as Saba in Antilles are VERY deep even very close in.
Cheers
Rich
White Rose
PS Go for it South Pacific us unbelievable
 
Thanks for all your valuable input (and good laughs about anchoring culture!).

My current setup that came used with the boat is a stainless CQR (or look alike) with 8 mm stainless chain. Did not measure the length yet, but guessing 50-60 meters.

Based on your input, I will likely replace with a 25kg Rocna and 100m galvanised chain, probably 8 mm. And of course a rope extension for very deep anchorages. The anchor well is definitely large enough, but if the weight of the chain may unbalance the boat, I have no idea. However, some more weight out front would surely do good for the angle of the fore cabin bed :)

A Fortress kedge also sounds like a good idea. Wondering whether an additional spare bow-type anchor like the Rocna or Spade would be a good idea, or just overkill?

Cheers
Peter
 
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Posse said:
Thanks for all your valuable input (and good laughs about anchoring culture!).

My current setup that came used with the boat is a stainless CQR (or look alike) with 8 mm stainless chain. Did not measure the length yet, but guessing 50-60 meters.

Based on your input, I will likely replace with a 25kg Rocna and 100m galvanised chain, probably 8 mm. And of course a rope extension for very deep anchorages. The anchor well is definitely large enough, but if the weight of the chain may unbalance the boat, I have no idea. However, some more weight out front would surely do good for the angle of the fore cabin bed :)

A Fortress kedge also sounds like a good idea. Wondering whether an additional spare bow-type anchor like the Rocna or Spade would be a good idea, or just overkill?

Cheers
Peter
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One of the advantages of stainless chain is that it flows well in the anchor locker. Replacing it with double the length of galvanised may require a lot more stowing effort by the foredeck crew.

I may be interested in the stainless chain if we can come to some agreement and are not too far apart.
 
TQA said:
I live on the hook in a lightweight 44 ft mono. I use 200 ft of 3/8th galvanized with a 200 ft rope extension which gets used when anchorages exceed 70 ft. I used 45 lb CQRs for many years but now have a 25 kilo Rocna.

I would not use stainless steel chain, I have seen SS chain that was severely corroded after moderate use.


I have a 37 lb Fortress as a kedge.

My most valuable anchoring item is my Lofrans electric windless. Crap foot switches last a year.
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Dont disagree with any of that except s/s chain. The correct spec for s/s chain for anchoring is duplex to din14462. Electroplating. It is made by Ketten Walder in Germany. Very expensive but we are considering it for our boat since the galvanising is non-existant after 4years of continual use. To replace our chain here in the Caribbean with galv is twice the price of the UK.
 
Posse said:
Thanks for all your valuable input (and good laughs about anchoring culture!).

My current setup that came used with the boat is a stainless CQR (or look alike) with 8 mm stainless chain. Did not measure the length yet, but guessing 50-60 meters.

Based on your input, I will likely replace with a 25kg Rocna and 100m galvanised chain, probably 8 mm. And of course a rope extension for very deep anchorages. The anchor well is definitely large enough, but if the weight of the chain may unbalance the boat, I have no idea. However, some more weight out front would surely do good for the angle of the fore cabin bed :)

A Fortress kedge also sounds like a good idea. Wondering whether an additional spare bow-type anchor like the Rocna or Spade would be a good idea, or just overkill?

Cheers
Peter
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I wouldn't even think of setting out without at least a second main anchor. Probably of a different type, as some suit different ground conditions better.
 
AndrewB said:
Most surprised that galvanised chain is considered to have a short lifespan in coral waters. Ours was still going strong after 30 years (half of which in the tropics), looking very little the worse for wear. Of course, it was regalvanised every seven years or so. Has anyone else had problems with galvanised chain?
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Our 10mm chain has no galv after four years. Three seasons in Caribbean. Now thinking of s/s at huge cost. We would go duplex to DIN 14462. Only made by Ketten Walder in Germany. A lot stronger than same size galv chain but seriuosly pricey. Sick of rust all over decks. Really like the idea of clean chain and never replacing it due to corrosion. Eventually ot should pay for itself. Galv chain here in Caribbean is twice price of the same spec back in the UK
 
>One of the advantages of stainless chain is that it flows well in the anchor locker.

Bear in mind a yacht anchored in sand in Chaguaramas, Trindad had broken Stainless chain caused by crevice corrosion rubbing on the sand.
 
Whiterose said:
In Marquesas we encountered some very deep anchorages so lots of chain .... also in Caribbean some of the islands such as Saba in Antilles are VERY deep even very close in.
Cheers
Rich
White Rose
PS Go for it South Pacific us unbelievable
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There are morrings for free use at Saba. Near the town dock it is only 30ft deep and plenty of room. We had no problem anchoring there.
 
Posse said:
Thanks for all your valuable input (and good laughs about anchoring culture!).

My current setup that came used with the boat is a stainless CQR (or look alike) with 8 mm stainless chain. Did not measure the length yet, but guessing 50-60 meters.

Based on your input, I will likely replace with a 25kg Rocna and 100m galvanised chain, probably 8 mm. And of course a rope extension for very deep anchorages. The anchor well is definitely large enough, but if the weight of the chain may unbalance the boat, I have no idea. However, some more weight out front would surely do good for the angle of the fore cabin bed :)

A Fortress kedge also sounds like a good idea. Wondering whether an additional spare bow-type anchor like the Rocna or Spade would be a good idea, or just overkill?

Cheers
Peter
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The cost of an anchor in relation to the value of the boat is peanuts. Choose the best.
 
RichardS said:
We've discussed this suggestion before .... and it's impossible for crevice corrosion to occur in such circumstances. :)

Richard
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+1 Does Kelly's Eye know the meaning of the word 'crevice'? There are many ways in which a welded chain could fail, whether stainless or galvanised mild steel, but crevice corrosion must be a long way down the list. It won't be long before he trots out his other regular 'crevice corrosion' failure, of three swivels. Equally unlikely.
 
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