Adding Extra SS Anchor Chain For Ballast

AEO

Active Member
Feb 6, 2019
444
Boat Info
2008 44DB
GHS Swim Platform
2018 AB w 15hp Merc
Engines
Cummins QSC500’s
I’m going to replace my Galvanised chain with SS and, to kill two birds with one stone so to speak, was thinking of adding an extra 33 feet (10m) to compensate for the GHS Swim Platform and AB Inflatable. Therefore I’m thinking I’ll need a total of 130 feet (40m).

Does anyone think this is a good (or bad) idea?
 
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Does anyone think this is a good (or bad) idea?

Good or bad idea on the SS or the weight? If you're looking for the answer on weight - why not test it by adding temporarily the weight difference on the bow and see what that does to the level of your swim platform. As to the SS issue - are you doing it because of excessive rusting or cosmetics?
 
33 feet of chain does not seem like a lot of weight to compensate for those two items. Maybe 50lbs for 33ft? I agree with the CaptnTJ, you should test the weight before.

One idea would be to use plastic storage totes and put them on the bow and fill with water till you get the level you like. Then you will know the gallons of water it takes and x 8.34 lbs/g. There may be other ways to accomplish the same thing.
 
Both posts have some very good points. Aesthetics and no rust or dust is the reason for the change to SS. Thought it may be a good idea to add some extra to counter the effects of all that weight on the stern. Tabs need to be trimmed almost full nose down at all times.

Question for you, how much chain is considered normal?

50lbs isn’t much, thinking at least 150 so an extra 100 foot - Ouch ..
 
I added 150ft to my 330 and it really made a difference but much smaller boat. I left the rope rode too so I think I now have overkill in terms of total length. I love having that much chain though. Anchor sets much better and the weight holds the bow down nicely and greatly reduces the need for tabs while cruising on plane.
 
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I guess I didn’t associate rust with SS so a very good point. Not too worried about the strength tho as boat no that big at 45ft.

For me right now, the heavier the better. Just don’t want to break anything. 150ft seems about right for anchoring, so if I add ‘some’ extra to help with trimming what would be the structural limit?
 
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I guess I didn’t associate rust with SS so a very good point. Not too worried about the strength tho as boat no that big at 45ft.

For me right now, the heavier the better. Just don’t want to break anything. 150ft seems about right for anchoring, so if I add ‘some’ extra to help with trimming what would be the structural limit?
Not sure what the structural limit is. I had 150' galvanized chain on my 42' sailboat and there was no issue.

However, I would highly recommend a snubber if you're going to anchor overnight. We used a 'devils claw' on a nylon rode tied off to a forward cleat.
 
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I bought one of those Ultra Anchors with an Ultra Snubber as well. Cost me a bomb but anchor grabs like there’s no tomorrow.

If you had 120 feet, I guess consensus so far is saying that’s about ballpark. Might add between 80 feet to that and see where it takes me weight wise.
 
I don’t get the stainless for chain? Typically SS chain is cheap stainless with impurities that can still rust and on top of that stainless is weaker. I would go galvanized and get rid of the rope completely.
+1
 
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AEO, you do not tell us where you boat, so if on an inland lake, disregard, I always want all the rode I can. On my 270 on the Great Lakes I had 100 feet of chain and 200 feet of line. I have the same on my 3870 until I decide to go all chain.

I think of my rode and anchor tackle as the safety emergency brake and in deeper water many very well need all that. In fact I have 125 feet of stern anchor line that can be added if truly needed in an emergency.

Anchoring is about way more than just holding in a cove...

MM
 
Hey Mike, I boat around islands off the coast but don’t anchor in anything deeper than 20 feet. My main question was to do with carrying extra chain purely for ballast purposes. I need a lot of tab to keep the bow down
 
I guess I didn’t associate rust with SS so a very good point. Not too worried about the strength tho as boat no that big at 45ft.

For me right now, the heavier the better. Just don’t want to break anything. 150ft seems about right for anchoring, so if I add ‘some’ extra to help with trimming what would be the structural limit?
Ours has 200' of chain - given it is a new boat to us I don't yet have the experience to provide the impact on trim underway. We have a GHS lift and tender as well. We like anchoring as well and I'm considering adding another 150' of rope - both for any deep water anchoring as well as it can be cut to get rid of the chain in an emergency and I still have enough to use with a backup anchor.
 
Hey Mike, I boat around islands off the coast but don’t anchor in anything deeper than 20 feet. My main question was to do with carrying extra chain purely for ballast purposes. I need a lot of tab to keep the bow down

Generally speaking, from the safety perspective, I am more concerned with what the depths are I travel over and may need to anchor in an emergency than the places I commonly anchor.

MM
 
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I am more concerned with what the depths are I travel over and may need to anchor in an emergency than the places I commonly anchor.

MM
That would be a bit challenging on the Great Lakes like Huron where you get to several hundred feet off shore very quickly. The other thing I found (but don't recall where) is that you need less chain than nylon rode in terms of depth to anchor rode length.
 
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Another great advantage to a lot of chain is that it does not stay at the surface even with a lot of scope out. The weight pulls it down deep a a distance closer to the boat than nylon. This means much less likely to be run over by another boater in a tight or busy anchorage. I usually anchor in 20ft or less, but with 5 to 1 scope the anchor is 100+ feet from the bow. With chain, it drops below prop depth in about 10 ft.
 
Ours has 200' of chain - given it is a new boat to us I don't yet have the experience to provide the impact on trim underway. We have a GHS lift and tender as well. We like anchoring as well and I'm considering adding another 150' of rope - both for any deep water anchoring as well as it can be cut to get rid of the chain in an emergency and I still have enough to use with a backup anchor.

Tomco you bought up a good point that I had not thought of. I am so focussed on the amount of new chain to order that I haven’t checked how much I have now. As we have similar boats, I may have around 200 feet already. But at least I know now that 200 is ok.

Guess I can now up it to around 250 to 275 feet and see what happens.
 
I went with 250’ of all chain a year ago and wish I did this 10 years ago when I bought this boat. My windlass never worked better. I attached the chain to the anchor locker with dock line, so I can cut the chain free if I had to leave the anchor. I think the galvanized G4 5/16 chain is one pound per foot.

With respect to the weight bringing the bow down, I don’t think it had any impact on running angle.
 
I went with 250’ of all chain a year ago and wish I did this 10 years ago when I bought this boat. My windlass never worked better. I attached the chain to the anchor locker with dock line, so I can cut the chain free if I had to leave the anchor. I think the galvanized G4 5/16 chain is one pound per foot.

With respect to the weight bringing the bow down, I don’t think it had any impact on running angle.

Some good info, thanks. I read a story recently where the Lead Guitarist from the band INXS lost a finger while trying to free up a jammed windlass on a hire boat caused by a rusty/kinked chain. Just like that, career over ... That’s why I’m swaying toward SS.

‘But good to know 250 feet is ok - That number is gradually trending higher ..
 

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