Anchor Rope and Chain Recommendations

Flytrade

Flytrade

Active Member
Feb 20, 2018
302
Bradenton, FL
Boat Info
2006 320 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 6.2L Mercruiser
I am in need of new anchor rope and chain for my 32 Sundancer. I do not have a manual for my Lofrans windless, but my current rope is 3/4 in and the chain is 3/8 in.
Before I order a replacement, I just want to make sure there are no better recommendations. Also, if you could recommend a good source from which to order, I would appreciate it.
 
I don't know what your experience with a chain-and-rope setup was, but I had a lot of nuisance jams with the rope portion of that setup and wound up switching to all chain which runs flawlessly in the windlass.

I did buy a short length of chain to "beta test" the chain size/type to make sure it would run in the windlass. The parts manual for my boat listed the factory chain and rope combo as using 5/16 chain, so I just wanted to be sure it was the right size before committing to 125' feet of it.

I bought it at Defender.com, which was cheaper than West Marine. Bummer was the cut length coming in nearly 25' short of what I ordered and having to return it, but they did a great job of replacing it.
 
Switching to a metal tension finger pretty much solved all my rope issues. Occasional twist but no major tangles. Every few seasons I will pay it out on the hard and let it untwist. I rarely use more than 50ft or so though.
 
Flytrade said:
I am in need of new anchor rope and chain for my 32 Sundancer. I do not have a manual for my Lofrans windless, but my current rope is 3/4 in and the chain is 3/8 in.
Before I order a replacement, I just want to make sure there are no better recommendations. Also, if you could recommend a good source from which to order, I would appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Double check your chain and rope size, seems big for your boat.
 
Just bought a like new anchor and rod from a local salvage yard. Also give cregs list a look for local guys riding them selves of boat tackle.
 
I can't say what size you need for your particular boat, but as others have said, go all chain. I had a chain rope combo before and while anchored in the ocean on a somewhat snotty day for the air show here this summer, my rope snapped and I lost the anchor and chain. Fortunately, I was constantly watching my surroundings because I was anchored around at least 250 other boats and it could have gotten ugly fast if I wasn't able to run up to the bridge quickly and get the engines fired up. I have all chain now and will never go back.
 
We had the 25' chain and 150' rope on the 340 … worked fine. With our 420 we have 200' of chain (5/16" - the size is stamped on your windless, 3/8" sounds large for yours) and have an appreciable improvement in anchoring performance. We like to anchor out and overnight - feel much more secure with all chain.

All chain does require a bridle to take the load off the windless. We have an anchor stop but it is only held in with two screws and I'm sure would pull out with any significant load. I don't feel comfortable counting on it for anything less than a few hrs in a very calm spot.
 
Flytrade said:
I am in need of new anchor rope and chain for my 32 Sundancer. I do not have a manual for my Lofrans windless, but my current rope is 3/4 in and the chain is 3/8 in.
Before I order a replacement, I just want to make sure there are no better recommendations. Also, if you could recommend a good source from which to order, I would appreciate it.
Click to expand...

if your windlass is a Lofrans, the chain is a metric ISO size. IMTRA used to be their us distributor, you might give them a call to get the proper spec. If you buy chain on your own, buy a small piece to test how well it runs through the Gypsy. 1-2 ft of something that’s incompatible is much cheaper than 50 feet you can’t return.

H
 
I emailed IMTRA about my Lofrans and got a pretty quick and informative response from this gentleman:

tom@imtra.com

You may want to ask the best source. Go ahead and snap photos of your windlass labels and attach them to the message.
 
Tomco said:
We had the 25' chain and 150' rope on the 340 … worked fine. With our 420 we have 200' of chain (5/16" - the size is stamped on your windless, 3/8" sounds large for yours) and have an appreciable improvement in anchoring performance. We like to anchor out and overnight - feel much more secure with all chain.

All chain does require a bridle to take the load off the windless. We have an anchor stop but it is only held in with two screws and I'm sure would pull out with any significant load. I don't feel comfortable counting on it for anything less than a few hrs in a very calm spot.
Click to expand...
The company also told me the chain size is stamped on the inside of the wheel - where the chain goes. However, all I can see is 08101 and no chain size. Where is your chain size stamped?
 
IMG_4230.JPG
Flytrade said:
I am in need of new anchor rope and chain for my 32 Sundancer. I do not have a manual for my Lofrans windless, but my current rope is 3/4 in and the chain is 3/8 in.
Before I order a replacement, I just want to make sure there are no better recommendations. Also, if you could recommend a good source from which to order, I would appreciate it.
Click to expand...
The best recommendation will come from contacting Lofrans. The company will know exactly what ground tackle specs work best for your windlass. Have you tried that approach?
 
sbw1 said:
View attachment 75934
The best recommendation will come from contacting Lofrans. The company will know exactly what ground tackle specs work best for your windlass. Have you tried that approach?
Click to expand...
I did write them, and they recommend an 8mm chain with a 14mm rope. That equates to a 5/16 in chain and a 5/8 rope. Thanks for your reply.
 
Flytrade said:
I did write them, and they recommend an 8mm chain with a 14mm rope. That equates to a 5/16 in chain and a 5/8 rope. Thanks for your reply.
Click to expand...

In terms of functioning with your windlass it does not mean that as far as the chain is concerned. You will need an ISO spec chain and not the more common NACM grade chain. While the rod used for the links is equivalent, the shape of the link is different between the two standards. The NACM standard link will not fit in an iso sized gypsy.
 
That is some interesting info.
I will file that for future reference.
 
Henry Boyd said:
In terms of functioning with your windlass it does not mean that as far as the chain is concerned. You will need an ISO spec chain and not the more common NACM grade chain. While the rod used for the links is equivalent, the shape of the link is different between the two standards. The NACM standard link will not fit in an iso sized gypsy.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this info. I just ordered the following - Dark Horse Marine WINDLASSES Anchor RODE- 5/8" 8 Plait Nylon Spliced to 5/16" Galvanized Chain (150') - and from your post I would assume it's not what I want. I'll call Dark Horse Marine and see if they have the ISO spec chain.
 
Flytrade said:
I did write them, and they recommend an 8mm chain with a 14mm rope. That equates to a 5/16 in chain and a 5/8 rope. Thanks for your reply.
Click to expand...
FYI, 16MM would be 5/8". 14MM is closer to 9/16". I work with metric every day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,118
Messages
1,426,496
Members
61,034
Latest member
Lukerney
Back
Top