Trailer sailer anchor chain setup

[Lachie]

I have wondered that instead of 6m of 6mm chain ( as recommended) I use 1m of 6mm and then 3m of 8 mm which is approx double the weight. It would seem that this concentration of weight would lower the canterery angle and thus make the anchor more efficient as one did years ago using a weight slid down the chain. I realise this would only work on a trailer sailer with the change in chain sizes. Cheers

 

[skaraborgcraft]

I have always been an "all chain" guy, if im sleeping on the boat or it has to be left unattended. I know many use a length of chain and then warp.
It can be a contentious issue depending on what bottoms you are anchoring on and the local weather. I would reverse your chain idea though, keep the heavier stuff connected to the anchor , as you really dont want your warp dragging around on the bottom. I also use bigger anchors than the usual "reccomended"

 

[TANSL]

I also use bigger anchors than the usual "reccomended"

I totally agree and I would add one more thing: never use less chain length, whatever its weight, than recommended. (Make sure you have enough equipment to raise the anchor)

 

[Milehog]

It, not you, seems kind of silly to go that route.

 

[gonzo]

6m (18 feet) of chain for a small boat is way too much. 3 feet would be more reasonable.

 

[TANSL]

3 feet would be more reasonable.

Are you sure?. At what depth can that boat be anchored?

 

[seasquirt]

I try to follow the 'rule of 6', for small boats (1970's training),: 6 feet of chain, heavier than 'required', and pay out warp length 6 times longer than the water depth. Wire the shackle heads with copper wire once well tightened. Then the warp is easy to handle, and the chain not too heavy to bring inboard, although can damage gunnels if dragged over.

 

[BlueBell]

One foot of chain per foot of boat length works well up to about 60 feet around here.
Depends a lot on the anchor, weather/season, type of boat, bottom type, depth, etc, etc, etc.

 

[TANSL]

That's more reasonable and looks like what I know. 3 feet is ridiculous.

 

[jehardiman]

I concur with BlueBell, especially as Lachie (the OP) lists "Airlie Beach & Phuket" as where he's from. Even small boomies in a sandy bottom can play hell with the rode.

 

[gonzo]

6 times the depth is for large boats expecting a storm. A trailer sailor rarely would need more than 3 times the depth.

 

[TANSL]

... 3 times the depth or 3 feet?, please, clarify.
(Difficult to know the depth, don't you think? Or does one always have to anchor in the same place?)

 

[seasquirt]

I believe you should always expect a storm; "be prepared" a boy scout motto; and preparing for "Murphy's law"; the longer the rode, the less strain and wear on the other components in seas and swell. Sure it's a pain dragging in heaps of rope and a heavy piece of chain, but if and when the S hits the fan, at least one aspect is well catered for, and you can concentrate on other worries. My 16 foot dinghy carries 2m of 8mm galv chain on 12mm rode = no worries; my 10 footer carries 3m of 6mm galv chain on 10mm rode = no worries. Try not to anchor near coral bomies and rock shelves. Attach the chain to the anchor head, and through a lesser strength shackle / link to the end of the shaft, so if the anchor is fouled, the less strength link can be broken first, and the anchor retrieved by its head, to be used again.

On the original question, if you can haul up 2m (6 feet) of 8mm chain, and the anchor, go for it, and forget the 6mm chain; if you can't, then you probably won't be able to haul up 6m of 6mm chain and the anchor anyway, if the water is 6m deep. Then get a winch.

 

[gonzo]

If you are in a dinghy, weathering a storm at sea instead of beaching it is foolish. Further, even if the anchor won't drag, the storm wind and waves will sink the boat.

 

[TANSL]

Of all the infinite circumstances that could occur, if you were to place yourself in the one that interests you, it would be very strange if you were not right. In that circumstance, yes, you are right, but in all the others, you are not.
Unfortunately, neither the boat's skipper nor its designer can prepare it to withstand such an infinite number of circumstances.