Chain Again I am afraid

[emnick]

Just read DJSTEFANs (I did not want to go off at a tangent) thread and as I am about to buy a new winlass and chain.

What are the forums views on: Is it better to have 50m 10mm chain or 70m of 8mm chain not much difference in weight boat is just under 8 tonnes (36') I was looking at a Lofrans Caymen. Thanks for any help

 

[Robin]

I fitted a Lofrans Caymen to our last boat a Westerly 33 Ketch and went to 60m of 10mm chain with a 45lb CQR, as standard the boat had a manual windlass, 45lb CQR copy, and 8mm chain.

In your case I would go for the Lofrans Cayman (we had the bigger motor option one) which IMO is excellent, plus definitely go with 10mm chain over 8mm. Most of the time you will not have anything like the full amount of chain length in use, so having what IS out of a heavier weight would be better. I bought both the chain and the Lofrans together as a matching set and I believe the chain was also Lofrans,so a guaranteed match with the chain gypsy.

 

[davidbains]

To be honest unless you're planning on using very deep anchorages I would have thought that 50mtrs of 8 mm chain would be adequate for a 36ft boat. On the very rare occasions you'd need more it can be extended with rope.

 

[vyv_cox]

At 36 ft you are just on the line between 8 and 10 mm in most recommendations. Your intended sailing area may make a difference. Until I entered the Mediterranean I was mostly anchoring in the North Sea and Channel. I had 55 metres of 8 mm, although I am slightly shorter and lighter than you at nearly 35 ft and 6 tons. I never had all of this chain out.

In the Med I had all 55 metres out several times and felt I needed more. I now have 60 metres with the option to add rope. I am well aware of the numerous articles advising that there is no point in having about 20 metres of chain, making up the rest with rope. However, I have anchored many times amongst yachts on rope and derived great amusement from watching them sheering all over the anchorage when we remained more or less in the same place. In the Med, I have also seen rope warps wrapped around other boats' propellers, and cut when the offending boat was unable to unwind it. So it's definitely all chain for me.

So in summary, if you don't expect to use 60 or 70 metres where you are, I would go for the 50 metres of 10 mm.

 

[emnick]

I should have added our intended cruising area(s), we are at the moiment East coast based, however I intend to try and do a Britain and Ireland Circuit (inc West Ireland and Scotland in the next two years, then perhaps Med and further afield (accross the atlantic?) so I wanted to get it right first go. Thanks again for any help here.

 

[damo]

35'/7.5 tons - 50m 10mm chain + 70m rope, and would like some more chain!
Sailing area is Bristol Channel/Scillies/Ireland, and I anchor 99% of the time. I definitely wouldn't want 8mm.

 

[cliffb]

FWIW I have 36ft and 6 tonnes with 50mts 10mm chain. Sailing area west Scotland. I regularly put out 40 to 50 mts and like Damo would like to have a bit more available.