How much anchor chain?

mrtopknight

mrtopknight

New Member
Oct 3, 2006
361
Lake Mary, FL.
Boat Info
2001 182 Sport
Engines
4.3L MerCruiser w/ alpha one
A co-worker told me that you should have 50% of your boat length in anchor chain. i.e. 20' boat = 10' of chain?

Does this sound right or excessive?
 
Well on the smaller boats, that may be in less threatening conditions that may work. I believe the rule is 1' per 1' of boat. So if you have an 18'er you should have 18' of chain.
 
Anchoring is an art! You will get a different response from just about everyone, from 6 feet to all chain. The rule of thumb is what Todd has prescribed above. It's also important to understand the conditions you are anchoring in. Will you want to hold in 50 mph winds, grassy, rocky or muddy bottom, big tidal swings, currents or a host of other factors or are you just planning to drop the hook for a bit while you eat? Scope and a good anchor are just as important. If you have the best anchor and are in muddy conditions with 10:1 scope, you may not need any chain.

With all of that out of the way, yes 18 feet of chain in a low profile boat seems a bit much! But, given all of the conditions and the fact that you don't want to be drifting past all the other anchored boats why not use it? Start with 10 and if you have problems, add more chain!
 
Whats the point? Im sure with larger vessels it's a good idea but do you guys really think that I need that much chain? My boat is 21' and we anchor mostly in lakes, sometimes in a bay, but not in rough water. I think I'm running about 6 feet of chain currently.

What does the extra chain do for you?
 
i'm really kinda dumb about chains and scope, but this is what i have learned.

on our old 26.5 ft rinker, it initially had about 6' of chain with a fortress type anchor. we boat exclusively on an inland lake, no waves, heavy currents or tides. many times when on the hook and a stiff breeze popped up, i would float. i tried more scope, still floated. so i started to research. i then replaced the exisitng chain with one of about 15' and voila' never had a floating problem again.

the chain helps to hold the anchor in proper position so it will do its job of holding. the best anchors in the world do no good if laying on their side. skimp on chain and the first time you're blown aground, you're gonna wish you had the extra chain.

just my 2 pennies worth!
 
I have about 6' of chain on the anchors for my 185, most of the time I have no trouble setting the anchor and getting it to hold, I am most always in a strong current, sand to mud bottom, sand is hard a more difficult to set anchor. The chain holds the arm of the anchor on bottom allowing the blades to dig in and hold. There have been times that I have let all 100' of rope out to get anchor to set in strong current, new rope is 150' as soon as I put it on. More chain the easier it is to set anchor, it also makes the anchor weigh more when pulling in by hand, the admiral usually pulls the anchor, so I keep it as light as I can and still get the job done.
 
I use 6' of chain with a fortress anchor. I boat in a tidal river and dont have any problem. My last boat was a higher profile same 24' length and I needed 15'.
 
AFAIK, the purpose of the chain isn't just to help set the anchor and to then keep its shank on the bottom. Portions of the chain will typically be laying on the bottom, thus reducing the "stress" on the anchor by absorbing much of jerks and tugs on the rode. That is also the main reason you want a twisted line rather than a woven one for your non-chain portion of the rode - more "give".
 
Chain can also handle the abrasion of the bottom much better than rope does. Just another benefit!
 
One little tip that allows you to cheat on the amount of chain is to buy an anchor that is sized for a boat 2-3 feet bigger than what you have. Also, the light weight aluminum Fortresses tend to "float" as was pointed out. We use a large Delta on a 32' boat with 30' of chain and 250' of rope. Bottom conditions are mostly sand and a little gravel. We've been in some 40-50 mph winds and I don't get up to check things any more in the middle of the night unless it is to watch a good thunder storm. For our conditions, this set up is like being tied to a mooring can. Local conditions and usage drive what you will require.
 
The bottom of our lake is solid rock.
Anchoring anything is a real challenge. We found that more chain really makes a huge diffference.
On a larger boat, (27' +) all chain is the only way to go.

I had a forty one footer with a Fortress anchor and all rope....... It was useless. I would have been better off dropping a balloon tied to fishing line over the side.

I used to have to look for the guy with all chain and tie up to him.
 
and I don't get up to check things any more in the middle of the night unless it is to watch a good thunder storm
Click to expand...

I set my anchor alarm for that...
 
I have 150' of chain hooked up to 200' of rhode....it sure does negate needing any tab to get up on plane......:grin:
 
I have a Windlass Progress 1 and looking to replace the chain. Can anyone suggest what size chain and where to purchase? Thank You
 
Holy thread resurrection Bat Man…

Look up the specifications of your windless model and that will tell you what chain to get. Do not cheap out on this, the reason for specific chain is it is made to a spec that fits the windlass throughout the entire length, every link.

Defender.com is a good place to look…
 
Alan Hayward said:
I have a Windlass Progress 1 and looking to replace the chain. Can anyone suggest what size chain and where to purchase? Thank You
Click to expand...

You need to use what your windlass states in the manual. The link size matters for the chain grab. Depending on how much chain you need is where to buy, but commercial places are West Marine (expensive) but only a few feet won't matter, but if going all chain and your buying a barrel, then places like Defender.com are places to go. Remember Google is your friend.
 
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Defender was the cheapest when I just bought a new zodiac and fastest shipping. Had a few questions after delivery and they replied to emails in a couple hours.
 
You could also check your chain wheel. Progress one usually has the size cast in the wheel.
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