How long anchor rope/rode for UK inshore wandering?

[simonfraser]

Nylon goes hard over time and then v difficult to stow, I’ve recently chucked my 80m

All chain now, 80m

3 years ago anchored in nice quiet creek, summer time, 20m chain
Major thunderstorm, got blow up against a muddy shore in pitch black night, stone shore fore and aft when I checked the shore in the morning

Pulled the boat away with engine, just strong enough

Never again !

 

[HunterWanderer]

On the east coast 1m tide range, 2m under keel and 1m to deck so 4m depth. 10m chain plenty!
Bristol chanel ???

 

[mikefleetwood]

Well, I'm hoping not to pull the nylon out very often, and if that does not succeed I'll add additional lengths of chain until it does.

 

[WoodyP]

On the east coast 1m tide range, 2m under keel and 1m to deck so 4m depth. 10m chain plenty!
Bristol chanel ???

You have obviously never been on the east coast if you think the range is 1m.

 

[Kwik Decision]

I bought another 20m of 8mm chain to join to the end if the existing chain - 40m total should be enough for the majority of my planned anchoring.

How are you doing the join? I guess as you don't have a windlass, it could be shackle. Vyv Cox looked at C links a while ago, with the results here:
C-links

 

[oldbloke]

I think your decision to go for a long bit of string is better than carrying round half a ton of chain that is unlikely to be used is a valid one. The thought of trying to stuff 80m of wet rope down the hawse pipe doesn't appeal. I would keep it neatly stowed in a locker where it can be used for other purposes and brought out when required. Even if you get a winch it would only be a minutes work to unshackle the long rode and reattach the rope that stops it disappearing over the bow

 

[mikefleetwood]

How are you doing the join? I guess as you don't have a windlass, it could be shackle. Vyv Cox looked at C links a while ago, with the results here:
C-links

Yes, with a C-link to join the two pieces of chain. Stainless, but otherwise unknown properties - but probably well strong enough to hold a 29 foot yacht in reasonable conditions.

 

[Tranona]

I think your decision to go for a long bit of string is better than carrying round half a ton of chain that is unlikely to be used is a valid one. The thought of trying to stuff 80m of wet rope down the hawse pipe doesn't appeal. I would keep it neatly stowed in a locker where it can be used for other purposes and brought out when required. Even if you get a winch it would only be a minutes work to unshackle the long rode and reattach the rope that stops it disappearing over the bow

He does not need "half a ton". If he had gone with my suggestion of 50m of 6mm and a shackle to add rope if needed, the chain would weigh 40Kgs. As it is he has a sub optimal compromise of not enough chain to cover all he might encounter weighing 56Kgs, held together with a link and an unsuitable rope which will be a pain in the butt to use.

 

[HunterWanderer]

You have obviously never been on the east coast if you think the range is 1m.

So I was exaggerating a bit. But Gt Yarmouth, lowestoft, Southwold are usually less than 2.