I’ve heard from wise sailors that a good ground tackle system is like a life
insurance policy. Allie Rose is a 1972
Hallberg Rassy Raasmus, likely weighing in six tons, I’ve already preemptively done some
work to my system. I’ve used a galvanizing zinc-based
paint on the
current anchor chain to mark distances, and used
interlux bilge paint to repaint the
anchor locker itself. I also used ospho on the
anchor (no paint thereafter) for whatever
corrosion forestalling effect this may have (likely little to none since it was not followed up with paint - I don't like the look of painted anchors). I also put a
gasket on the lid, to diminish any
noise that could result from banging. Here’s where I’d like to go with this
project, and the questions that I have.
I currently have three anchors on the
boat. A
claw anchor is my primary anchor, and also have a
CQR and a
Fortress anchor.
I’d like to replace the
current chain and
rode with new chain and
rode. My thought is that 200’ of G4 HT Galvanized chain (⅜”) with 200’ of 8 plait nylon rhode spliced thereto is what I want. Here are my questions:
1) Is my proposed system adequate?
2)Where is the best supplier in terms of “bang for your dollar” to order a half spool of chain? Or suppliers that you may have gone through in the past that you've received good customer
service from.
3) What do you use to mark distance on the chain itself? I’ve heard everything from paint to zip ties works, but didn’t know if there was a “gold standard” that is most preferred if I’m going to be spending an absorbent amount of
money on "up-fitting" this system.
4) The current chain pipe is terribly oriented, and doesn’t
work well to feed the chain back into the locker. A replacement chain pipe from lumar (their 8-13mm pipe) is $300 -
money I’d really prefer not to spend. If I have to. What would the best orientation for it be? More importantly, does anyone have a manufacturer they have had experience with before for this part? I guess it's technically seated just fine for now, but chain just doesn't feed well into it.
5) I sanded down, and did one coat of
interlux bilge paint to clean up the locker. If I'm going to be repainting my decks, is there any point to adding a second coat of bilge paint? Any reason why one would use kiwigrip or other nonskid paint in the locker itself? I presume not to both - but wanted to ask.
Additional
Purchase I'm not sure that I need, but would love to know more about their necessity
1) Do I need to install a chain stopper, or the current paracord to eyelet system I have provide the adequate protection that I need from accidental anchor release?
2) I don’t have an anchor
bridle. One purchased from
mantus (⅝”
rope, 28’ long) appears to be fairly common, and costs $200. Is this something I should/could make myself? Does anyone have a
mantus bridle that they’ve seen last the test of time?
3) The other pieces that I believe I need to add to the system are a swivel (to connect the chain to the anchor), and an anchor hook (to attach to the chain from the bridle). Similarly, mantus appears to make very common
stainless steel swivels and hooks as far as I’ve seen at my marina. Any experience with these products? Are they both necessary?
4) Lastly, is there any reason to ever have an after anchor mount and/or anchor roller? Has anyone ever routed chain into their aft
cabin before, attached to anchor on a mount/roller that is permanently on the aft of the
boat?
The long and the short of it is simple - I want to have this “life insurance”, without breaking the bank. If anyone is willing to provide input on the above referenced questions, it would be greatly appreciated! The more feedback you can provide in terms of priority of the aforementioned purchases, the better. I attached a top down
photo of the anchor system as it currently is set up.