Length of anchor chain

It's something I was initially worried about but I spoke to other Maxi owners with a similar set up and it's proved to be OK . I even won a race with the new chain in the bows. If your boats a displacement type , which mine isn't , you won't even notice it.
 
Re:the Right solution...

That was a great reply.

Now, forget all you big boys things. What about my little 18 ft trailer sailer? What do I need?

I have heard, or read, somewhere, that one should have chain the length of the boat, and then rope.
No comment was made on size of chain, but it seems that 6 mm is commonly used.

What do you think?

Ray

Ray
 
Re:the Right solution...

Ray,
My boat is also a trailer sailer.
I use my boat length,plus a couple of extra feet, in chain-5/16th inch by 25ft long.
I have a Bruce and two Danforths as the bottom in the Puget Sound, NW U.S., is mainly mud and sand. The rodes are 3/8th inch by 200ft or 300ft with eyes spliced at both ends. The reasoning behind the eye splices is so that I can shackle two together for a very long rode or if there is wear I can flip the ends.

Gary
 
Re:the Right solution...

To be honest, if I'm in a big anchorage and not worried about swinging room, I put all my chain down, if I suspect there might be any kind of blow, then I know I've enough deployed, if that drags, then it's time to up and away!
 
Re:the Right solution...

Good stuff, no problem with any of it. My solution to the elasticity point in strong winds is to insert a length of nylon into a bight of the chain, using a hook made for the purpose that attaches to any link. The other end made off to the bow cleat not being used by the chain. I keep a length of 14 mm, about 10 - 15 metres long, specifically for this purpose. I have yet to use it in really horrendous conditions but have ridden out at least two full gales in minimal shelter using this system.
 
Hi Claymore! Sorry for the delay (I'm only at the office three days a week). Yes there is both an up and a down switch on my windlass. It is marketed under the brand name "QUICK" and I've seen it advertised in PBO. I opted for the 'hand-held' switch and this comes on a long length of coiled cable. I did so because most of my sailing is single-handed. Cyano is a Centaur and I fitted the socket to the front bulkhead in the main cabin, just behind the mast prop. This allows me to operate the windlass either from the cockpit or (out through the fore-hatch and onto) from the foredeck if I have a crew.
I have fastened markers every 5 metres using stiffish plaited cord and leaving 'tails' around 80mm long (3 inches). If you start from 15 metres it's very easy to keep track of how much chain you have out. The 2metres nearest the anchor are painted red so that I can stop for a while before inching the last bit, allowing my Bruce to self-stow on a little 'bowsprit / roller / boarding plank' preventing mashing up the stem. I guess that one could release the gypsy and allow the chain to run out but I don't think that I would like that. Chains can be nasty. In any case, that would mean my having to leave the cockpit, engine controls, etc.
What was your question again?
Oh yes, there IS a down switch!
Fair winds.

Wally
 
100 mtr of 10 mm & 60kg pool anch.



David
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