new anchor rode?

[boatman37]

So planning to install a Lewmar V700 next spring (or even mid-season this year) but need a new anchor line now as mine isn't in great shape. Reading the V700 manual it says to use a 1/2" line with 1/4" chain? Currently I have about 150' of ~1/2" line with 15' of about 1/4" chain. Works great for the Ohio River where the average depth is about 20-30' where we anchor. I only ever put out about 60-70' of line and currently have a 14lb fluke anchor but will be switching to a ~14lb Delta plow anchor.

Hope to end up taking a trip to Lake Erie for a weekend at some point but that may or may not ever happen.

Ideas/suggestions? I'm figuring getting 150' of rope and would like 15-20' of chain but if you guys think 10' is enough then I might go with that. We have never had any issues with our current anchor/rode holding. Boat is a 25' weighing about 8000lbs not including us. I weighed it last year on the scales and with the 1300lb trailer it weighed 8700lbs with no fuel and all tanks empty so at least 8000lbs, probably 8500-9000 with us and full fuel and water (75 gallon fuel and 30 gallon fresh water). Dry weight is listed as 6500lbs so 7400lbs empty of liquids is in line with that.

Not sure if you need all that info but wanted to include it in case.

 

[Thornton69]

Plans can change quick. If you are broken down and caught in rougher waters, your anchor could quickly become a life line. The rule around here is at least a boat length of chain. Would never consider less myself.

 

[Fly'n Family]

I would have 30' chain, minimum - though I'm a big fan of all chain.

As far as total length, just remember the 7:1 scope rule for heavier weather or abnormal situations.

 

[Henry Boyd]

As I was reading the OP my reaction was that the rule of thumb for anchor chain is at least one boat length of chain on a combination rode. Serenity is just under 45’ excluding swim platform and we carry 60 feet of chain on the main anchor. We also have a stern anchor (Fortress aluminum) with only about 25 feet of chain on the rode. But that gets deployed by hand.

 

[boatman37]

I plan to keep the old anchor/chain/rope in case of emergencies such as windlass motor stops or whatever. Probably store it in the aft storage to keep from getting too nose heavy. Seems to be a little nose heavy already. How much does 25' of 1/4" chain weigh? Not too much weight for the V700?

 

[Henry Boyd]

¼” chain is about ⅔ of a pound per foot. This will vary slightly by grade, material and spec. Best thing to do is look up chain specific to your windlass. If you are looking for general specs NACM publishes a standards manual with dimensions and ratings for ASTM & ISO Chains.

 

[Gofirstclass]

boatman, one thing you never, ever want to find yourself saying is "Damn, I wish I'd added more chain like everyone on CSR said."

Like Thornton said, plans can change in a hurry and your anchor may be your lifeline. That's one area you don't want to skimp on. 25' of 1/2" chain will weigh less than 20 lbs. Your boat won't even know it's there.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Make sure you get G4 chain - there are different link shapes and only the G4 (also sometimes called HT) will work with the V700. I installed the same windlass on my 260DA. It's by no means a high-end windlass and probably won't last as long as some better ones, but it did fine for me.

I totally agree with others than you can never have enough. That said, if you're confident in what you have, based on your experience, then stick with it. Just remember that you should be equipping based on emergency use, not normal use.

No, the weight of the chain and rope is a non-issue. I had 50' of chain and 300' of rope (and another 300' in a separate coil should the need ever arise).

 

[boatman37]

Thanks guys. Not arguing your point, just clarifying. From what I found online the longest length of chain I saw was 20' but it was a quick search.

 

[wyrman]

This has nothing to do about how much chain, but the size for the windlass. I installed the same windlass on my old boat, and I bought Lewmar rode, that way I knew it would be compatible.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thanks guys. Not arguing your point, just clarifying. From what I found online the longest length of chain I saw was 20' but it was a quick search.

What do you mean by "longest length"? You can make it any length you want with a simple chain to rope splice. If you don't know how to splice, look to a company that will make it whatever you want. Don't get cheap rope - pay the extra couple bucks to get good stuff.

Something else you'll need to take into account is the "fall"... the depth of your anchor locker below the windlass and also the general size of the locker. If it's not very deep/wide, that will limit the amount of rode you can use. Check the installation manual for the windlass - that will give you more info.

 

[be_prepared]

Thanks guys. Not arguing your point, just clarifying. From what I found online the longest length of chain I saw was 20' but it was a quick search.

You can have a rode made up with whatever combination of chain / nylon that you want. Many of the premade combination chain/nylon rodes online are as you say, with only a minimal length of chain. Any marine store, chandlery can make up a rode to your specifications, or you can practice a little and do the chain to rope splice yourself. I have 125' of chain backed by 150' of nylon, for example. I am almost always anchoring in only 8-10 feet of water, so I seldom even get to the nylon, pretty much always all chain, with a bridle. I had our boatyard do the splice, because they did a much neater job that I would have, and so it rides through the windless better.