Anchor line vs chain rating.

[amanphoto]

I'm putting together a new anchor line and chain setup for my boat. I picked up some 1/2 nylon rope and some stainless steel g3 1/4" chain. All specked to run threw a windless. My boat weighs around 8k #.

My concern is that the rope is rated at 8,000 #, but the chain is only rated at 1,400#. That seams like a lot of week links between the anchor and the rope. Even 3/8 galvanized proof g4 chain is only rated at 1,800#.

Do I really need the chain? Why is the chain so week. I just found it interesting.

[Opie91]

Are you sure your windlass takes g3? I believe most prefer (or require) g4 or BBB.

Ill let others comment about the need for chain.

[Horror Hotel]

Stainless chain is always weaker that steel of the same size. 1/4" is on the light side for your boat, and stainless just adds to the problem. I think your info about the 1800# for 3/8" galvanized is off by a factor of 4 or so.

[amanphoto]

The v700 windlass i have is spect out for 1/4 chain. I can't go bigger.

[NewMoon]

Originally Posted by amanphoto

I'm putting together a new anchor line and chain setup for my boat. I picked up some 1/2 nylon rope and some stainless steel g3 1/4" chain. All specked to run threw a windless. My boat weighs around 8k #.

My concern is that the rope is rated at 8,000 #, but the chain is only rated at 1,400#. That seams like a lot of week links between the anchor and the rope. Even 3/8 galvanized proof g4 chain is only rated at 1,800#.

Do I really need the chain? Why is the chain so week. I just found it interesting.

Don't know about the g3 SS chain - you might be looking at its safe working load (SWL).

1/4" g4 HT galvanized chain might have a theoretical breaking strength of about 7,750 lb, but an SWL of 2,600 lb. 1/2" three-strand nylon rope in good condition might have a breaking strength of 7,500 lb, and an SWL of 1/5 of that, or 1,500 lb. A pretty good match. We use these sizes for our 26' boat weighing maybe 11,000 lb.

Chain (suggest at least a boat length) is desirable for chafe protection and to improve the anchor's holding power by its weight and by helping keep the angle of pull low.

[djmarchand]

Well, in addition to supporting Horror's view above, let me talk about why use chain at all:

1. Weight to help set the anchor and absorb wave loads after setting.

2. All chain or enough chain for most expected anchorage depths won't chafe.

3. All chain will not wrap your keel in a reversing current.

I used 1/4" G4 galvanized steel chain for an 8,000 lb boat. Its WLL is 2,600 lbs which is plenty. Unless you want to either flount your money or you plan to anchor every day for many years (corrosion), go with galvanized steel.

David

[amanphoto]

I might be Wong about g4 or g3. I think your right about g4.

[amanphoto]

I went with stainless steel because it is suppose to glide better threw the windlass.

[Horror Hotel]

How much stainless chain did you get?

[barnakiel]

Chain will not chafe, rope will. Get max dia rope that fits your windlass or else max dia that you feel comfortable manhandling.

b.

[amanphoto]

Originally Posted by Horror Hotel

How much stainless chain did you get?

I got 15' of stainless chain.

[Stu Jackson]

Most boaters who sail "locally" use at least the boat length for the chain. "Real" (as opposed to unreal?!?) cruisers use all chain with nylon snubbers.

You might be interested in this for sizing your anchoring SYSTEM:

Anchor System Sizing Tables (Reply #6) Ground Tackle & Anchor System Sizing TABLES & SwivelsGround Tackle & Anchor System Sizing TABLES & Swivels

[Horror Hotel]

I don't wanna seem to know it all, but 15' of 1/4" isn't all that heavy. That piece would be the perfect length to lock the dink up at the few sketchy dinghy docks you end up at. If your locked into 1/4" because of the wildcat if you go galvanized you get a little more strength and you could get 100' or 200'. If you've got a windlass go with the longest possible, as you will never need to get it up by hand. Plus you get the catenary effect of the chain, which you won't get with 15'. Anchoring is highly debated on CF, and no matter how many come forward and claim only rope rode, chain is king. I anchor every night with a bunch of random other cruisers, and it's rare to see rope at the bow roller. It's 20 to 1,with rope being the odd man out. I have a 7ton 32' boat w/ 200' 3/8" G4 and a 66# bruce is my primary anchor. I also carry a 200' & 300' 5/8" double braid as spare rode for anchor or sea anchor. I anchor 7 months a winter, never take a slip, but the occasional mooring ball when required.

[amanphoto]

Old setup was 6' of 3/8 galvanized chain and 100' of 3/8 twisted nylon line connected to a 13# anchor. Worked for two years of rafting up three and four wide. The 3/8 was rough on your hands to manually haul in. Upgrading to windless so I needed appropriate line.

[Horror Hotel]

Ok I assumed you were talking sailboat or trawler, that's 95% of people here, being cruisers forum. A 13# anchor would be a dinghy anchor for me . I assumed you needed to anchor near islands, on the ocean, in 60 mph winds and live to talk about it.