How much chain? 35ft, South Coast/Channel/France

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gregcope

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Hi all.

I might need to replace my chain if I cannot find a galvaniser ...

So next question is how much chain?

Cruising South Coast UK, France, CI. Usually anchor in sheltered places and in 4m or less. I have an anchorplait rope rode extension I could reuse.

35m of chain? Would cover upto 7m depth at 4:1.

Thoughts?
 
I'd go for all chain and more if you can. What you've suggested would probably be fine for (most) South coast UK but Brittany and Channel Islands will have a far bigger tidal range which usually run very quickly.
 
The tidal ranges in the area that you propose can be up to 11m or more. So anchoring in 4m at low water with a 4:1 scope could regularly require 60m. I have 60m of chain spliced to 40m of 14mm polyester for cruising the Channel Islands and Bay of St Malo.
 
I have a 100m and a 56KG Rocna anchor and has proved enough so far.

Whatever might be said, I would definitely recommend more than less anchor, there are times when you dont then need to use anyting like as much scope.
 
All chain is good in some respects, especially if you have a windlass, but on many boats it weighs the bow down too much: weight right forward does nothing for performance, and on some boats is really quite bad. My 35 ft Jeanneau has 40 metres 10mm chain plus 30 metres warp, and I certainly wouldn't want any more weight in the bow.

Without a windlass I'd choose less chain and more warp - sailed a long time with mostly warp on boats without a windlass.

IP485 has 100m and a 56KG Rocna but put that on the bow of most 35 ft boats and you'd have a boat that wanted to be a submarine.
 
I'm on 15m of chain and about 70m rode with another 15m of chain I can add if necessary. No windlass & the chain locker is now a little way back from the bow. Boat is a 26' long keel, I've come to the conclusion that long keelers are already more prone to hobby horsing before you even start to add more weight at either end. At the risk of starting an(other) anchor thread I'll also say that I'm going to replace the CQR with a 25lb Mantus, for it's performance and the fact it can be dismantled and stowed on longer passages. For the OP I think your 35m of chain plus rode sounds like a reasonable compromise...
 
V1701 said:
I'm on 15m of chain and about 70m rode with another 15m of chain I can add if necessary. No windlass & the chain locker is now a little way back from the bow. Boat is a 26' long keel, I've come to the conclusion that long keelers are already more prone to hobby horsing before you even start to add more weight at either end. At the risk of starting an(other) anchor thread I'll also say that I'm going to replace the CQR with a 25lb Mantus, for it's performance and the fact it can be dismantled and stowed on longer passages. For the OP I think your 35m of chain plus rode sounds like a reasonable compromise...
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Just be cautious - Mantus has roughly the same hold as the same weight of Delta, I've measured it with load cell. Nothing at all wrong with that they make no claims about hold, especially as Mantus engages quickly and reliably - but don't for one moment think that because it looks, roughly, like a Rocna that it has the same performance. If you want the same hold of 25lb Rocna think of a 50lb Mantus. If you really want a demountable anchor maybe think of a Spade. An economy option might be Kobra.

For more background try this:

An Inquiry into Anchor Angles - Practical Sailor

Jonathan
 
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What boat? It's all very well saying 100m of chain, that's probably fine on a 40 foot cruiser, but on a 26 foot cruiser-racer? If weight is an issue, a smaller, high strength chain gives you a lot more scope for any given weight.

I'm a fan of mixed rode because I haven't got a windlass, but Brittany and the CI is one area I could be persuaded that all chain may be advantageous - lots of sharp rocks to chew on the rope!
 
Stemar said:
What boat? It's all very well saying 100m of chain, that's probably fine on a 40 foot cruiser, but on a 26 foot cruiser-racer? If weight is an issue, a smaller, high strength chain gives you a lot more scope for any given weight.

I'm a fan of mixed rode because I haven't got a windlass, but Brittany and the CI is one area I could be persuaded that all chain may be advantageous - lots of sharp rocks to chew on the rope!
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I think Stemar raises a sensible issue - the OP has declared he has a windlass and the gypsy determines the size of chain he will use (unless he is flush and will buy a new windlass). The yacht is 35' (and he does not say but possibly a conventional AWB

How would people's replies alter if the OP's gypsy is 10mm. 60m of 10mm chain is going to impact sailing performance.

I remain surprised by the number of 'smaller' yachts, and I'm not saying the OPs yacht is small, with big chain - what was the decision making process.

If the yacht is fairly lightweight I would look at trying to find a smaller second hand gypsy to allow the chain to be downsized and still allow a decent length to be carried. Rocks (or coral) and rope really don't mix.

Jonathan
 
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