Anchor chain length

Budgie1 · 21 June 2014, 13:30

What length of chain do you guys use? I was told rule of thumb chain should be length of boat, anchor line three times depth you wish to anchor in, using danforth anchor and 5 metres of chain but seems a bit excessive and fed up with dragging it in and out of locker!

chris.moody · 21 June 2014, 15:10

I work on 4 times max depth if all chain and 6x if mix of chain and warp. I have twice boat length of chain then 30m of warp.

Nick Hearne · 21 June 2014, 15:40

I use 5m of chain on my boats too, works for me

m chappelow · 21 June 2014, 16:43

A lot of the rules of thumb about anchoring are from the late 1800s using traditional Admiralty pattern / fisherman/ Popeye style anchors using heavy displacement boats in gale conditions .
In general with planing hulls modern anchors & nylon rope combined with a 4 or 5 metres of chain is sufficient for most ribs or sibs , though if in doubt more rather than less .

lewsimm88 · 21 June 2014, 17:54

I only use 1 meter of chain, I only have a small rib used in light conditions so it does the job for me.

Rokraider · 21 June 2014, 18:35

Has anyone tried any of this lead filled anchor rope, supposedly has lead in the last few metres, making a chain superfluous. I like the idea of not having to deal with a load of chain on the rope, but am not convinced this is a heavier enough alternative. The pacific weighs in around 2.5 Tonnes. Would be interested to have some feedback.
http://www.force4.co.uk/4566/Liros-L...hor-Lines.html

lewsimm88 · 21 June 2014, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rokraider

Has anyone tried any of this lead filled anchor rope, supposedly has lead in the last few metres, making a chain superfluous. I like the idea of not having to deal with a load of chain on the rope, but am not convinced this is a heavier enough alternative. The pacific weighs in around 2.5 Tonnes. Would be interested to have some feedback.
http://www.force4.co.uk/4566/Liros-L...hor-Lines.html

When pulling chain over the tube I always lift it over rather than drag it. I like the idea of being able to drag it over the tube rather than lift.

scubaqua · 21 June 2014, 20:47

I have a Danfort anchor (8kg), 3 meters of chain with rings of 5mm, than 70meters of line..
My boat is about 900 kg.
Important: dont drop the anchor, but lower it at the rope, when there is no tension at the rope the anchor is at the bottom. Than give more line, when you have given about twice of the depth, than pull a couple of time strong at the line. Than give one time of the depth more line.
Now your boat is anchored....

alystra · 21 June 2014, 22:57

Well, I guess I'm a bit extreme, but I often anchor overnight in wild places where the nearest human being is more than five miles and a ferry ride away. My boat tent has full standing headroom and covers the whole boat, so windage is huge.

I have a 4kg Delta anchor, 5m of 10mm chain, 5m of 8mm chain, and 20m of 12mm anchorplait line with another 20m 14mm available if necessary.

With the anchor properly set, I usually sleep very well. Just spent four nights away here on the wild west coast. Sunshine and bliss.

Rokraider · 30 June 2014, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rokraider

Has anyone tried any of this lead filled anchor rope, supposedly has lead in the last few metres, making a chain superfluous. I like the idea of not having to deal with a load of chain on the rope, but am not convinced this is a heavier enough alternative. The pacific weighs in around 2.5 Tonnes. Would be interested to have some feedback.
Liros Leaded Rope Anchor Lines - From £89.95 - Force 4 Chandlery

I splashed out and bought a 12mm Liros leaded anchor rope and have to say, despite my misgivings, I am impressed with the package. I am using it on a Delta type anchor, It happily held my Pacific 22 and Hayling Rescues 8 meter RIB tied together whilst we were parked up in Hayling Bay. It is nice to use not having a chain and looks to be good value.

SteveHall · 30 June 2014, 11:04

I ordered the leaded line, and am just awaiting its arrival..

Hopefully I have the same success as you!

Nick Hearne · 30 June 2014, 12:37

Don’t forget the chain is there to stop chaff on rocky bottom your weighted line will suffer in most conditions if not all!

SteveHall · 30 June 2014, 12:41

i am working on the thought that i never really anchor anyway, and if i do only for a short time when having some lunch....

but the chain slapping the hull to bits is all the time...

Doug_G · 30 June 2014, 13:15

The depth should be measured from the top of the bow to the seabed.

Not just the water depth.

jyasaki · 30 June 2014, 16:12

Quote:

Don’t forget the chain is there to stop chaff on rocky bottom your weighted line will suffer in most conditions if not all!

Very true. The chain (or weighted portion of the line in the other case) should lie at least in part on the seabed, and will be repeatedly lifted and dropped as the swell raises and tugs at the hull. In any kind of hard uneven substrate, the line will be abraded against any rocks/outctcroppings, and will be made worse in shifting winds as the pull goes side to side. This will wear a nylon line fairly quickly.

jky

Rokraider · 30 June 2014, 16:23

I spend most of my time around Hayling Island and Hayling Bay doing support for events. The bottom is mostly gritty sand / mud, very little rock.
If I use it somewhere rocky, I can always add some chain.
My second anchor (Bruce) is on a conventional 10' x 8mm chain and 30 Metre multiplait setup. I always have both on board.
I have lined the anchor locker under the foredeck with marine plywood to stop the anchors, chains etc digging into the fibreglass.

Searider · 30 June 2014, 19:11

6.5m RIB
I have 10m 6mm chain and 30m 14mm anchorplait.