Anchor chain size/grade

[Mike Brown]

I currently have 25' of 3/8 BBB on our B43 and am thinking about going with 85' to 100' of G40 3/8" chain backed up by my current 150' of nylon rode. Just wanted to check with those running chain if anyone is using 3/8 G40 without a problem. The manual indicates it should handle it, but I don't want to buy 100' of chain and then find it wont work on the windlass. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[CAN DRAC]

We have 200ft of 3/8 hi test galvanized chain and have lived mostly on the hook for almost 8 months without a problem. Sometimes we wish we had 300ft but most of the time 200ft is enough.

[Mike Brown]

Geoff, I'm definately going to go with more chain. You can see what Franc uses, but he's doing some serious cruising. For the area we cruise now or even where we might visit in the future I think 100' of chain with 150' of nylon rode will be more than adequate. A Delta 35 lb anchor came with the boat and so far it's been fine, although we haven't anchored out much due to a very rainy summer. Once I add more chain I think it will be a good setup.

I'm not familiar with what they've given you as standard equipment, but here's an article I found on the FOB Anchor. Sounds like it's a pretty good anchor.
Mike
http://wwwsailboat2adventurecom.blogspot.com/2008/11/fob-light-weig...

[Mike Brown]

There are a number of classic wooden boats on Chesapeake Bay. Most are beautiful works of art. It's so nice that you were able to own one although I'm sure it was quite different from your Beneteau. As for Gloucester I have not heard of the it here in the Northern Chesapeake Bay. Of course the bay is very large and it may lie further south.

[Mike Brown]

The boat or his wife? I agree it must have been a difficult decision :) Good luck with your attempts to repurchase her. Sounds like it would be worth it.
Take care
Mike

[Alain Brauckmann]

We have 59 meters of 12mm chain with an 32kg orginal Bruce.
On our last trip we hat 32kn of wind and waves an ancored at 10meter deep with all our chain and had a secure sleep even if 30meter behind us, there was a wall ...

For the next season we are planing to ad some more (an other 60-80 meter) 18mm rope so that we can anchor in deeper water

[Mike Brown]

Alain, sounds like you have a long length of chain and a heavy anchor. Good to hear your it keeps you sleeping well.

[James Taylor]

Mike
James of B43 "RaJean". We have 100ft 3/8 HT galavanized chain. Purchased through EBAY supplier in FL. Chain is spliced to 150ft rode. Plenty for anywhere on the bay. Have you had any issues with "hard starts"? We just had the Yanmar 4jh4ae service mod where a new and different type fuel filter setup was installed ( hand pump bleeder removed) and a higher output electric fuel pump has been installed. Works fine now. Starts on the 1st try. We have a 45lb plow anchor that has been very effective everywhere except Urbanna Va. The bottom there is really muddy and the plow is very hard to set there. The plow and chain caught and held on the 1st try at Welsey Lake (Va Beach via Rudee Inlet). It held very nicely for 3 days to include a somewhat uncomfortable evenning summer storm this past July.The main reason for only purchasing 100ft was weight,performance and environmental requirements.

James

[Mike Brown]

James, thanks for the info. I finally ordered 65' of G4 through West Marine and will pick it up in Delaware tax free :)
I'll splice it to the current 150 nylon we aready use. I was going to go with 100' and order it through a distributor, but all the quotes for freight outweighed their price advantage. I settled for the 65' since it will provide a good average for the bay. I'll have to use a snubber in shallower waters but can go with just letting some of the nylon rode out in deeper anchorages. It should be the best of both worlds. Once we begin to venture to other cruising grounds then I'll decide if I need to go with more chain. BTW I have pictures of RaJean sitting in Inner Harbor I'll post them for you.
Mike