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| Thread ID: 83154 | 2007-09-21 08:04:00 | Anchor Chain | TideMan (4279) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 593710 | 2007-09-21 08:04:00 | I have one of those folding anchors for our dinghy. It's designed to release when pulled vertically. I need to use a length of chain before attaching rope so that the anchor lies flat until I pull on the rope and lift the chain off the bed. But how long does the chain section need to be? If I make it too short, it won't work at holding the anchor flat, but if I make it too long, the anchor will be too heavy to lift. And what size chain is best? A short length of heavy chain, or a long length of light chain? Anyone have any clues? |
TideMan (4279) | ||
| 593711 | 2007-09-21 10:20:00 | When you lift the anchor, it will seem too much. When you really NEED the anchor, there is not going to be enough. Varying with the size of the dinghy and the type of conditions desired to be withstood, try 3.72 metres of medium (and I stand awaiting being shot down and keelhauled). | R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 593712 | 2007-09-21 11:31:00 | I guess depends on the water depth where you plan to take it. On my one i have light chain all the way hooked to a 8 clamp. I am unsure of the chain length though. | rob_on_guitar (4196) | ||
| 593713 | 2007-09-21 20:49:00 | After looking around various NZ boating sites, it looks like the leader chain should be at minimum the length of your boat. | Jen (38) | ||
| 593714 | 2007-09-21 21:17:00 | Jen is correct. It needs to be the length of the boat and links of 5mm or 6mm diameter thickness chain depending on the size of the "dinghy". | FoxyMX (5) | ||
| 593715 | 2007-09-21 22:39:00 | At least as important as the length and gauge of chain is the way in which you pay out the anchor. Just dumping the whole shebang over the bow is a waste of time and it can also make it difficult to retrieve the anchor when you are ready to leave - you really need to lay it out whilst "going astern" so that the chain lies in a straightish line away from the anchor, thus holding it in place where it has dug into the sea floor. Another trick (if you have divers down in particular) is to have the anchor warp attached to a buoy, so if necessary you can undo the bitter end from the cleat on the boat and dump the whole lot overboard in an emergency and recover it later. |
John H (8) | ||
| 593716 | 2007-09-22 03:40:00 | Wow, good oneJohn H. It is a long time since I have heard 'bitter end' used correctly. | Richard (739) | ||
| 593717 | 2007-09-22 04:46:00 | Wow, good oneJohn H. It is a long time since I have heard 'bitter end' used correctly. I am old, Father Time... |
John H (8) | ||
| 593718 | 2007-09-23 01:10:00 | Thanks, everybody for the EXCELLENT advice. Chain the length of the dinghy sounds like a good rule of thumb. :thumbs: |
TideMan (4279) | ||
| 593719 | 2007-09-23 01:57:00 | the length of the boat is the minimum - I would recommend a bit more say 6 metres, as this will help your anchor to hold better. the idea is the chain lies on the bottom and any snatch loads due to wave action etc tend to lift the chain, rather than pulling on the anchor and possibly causing it to break free - The Anchor warp scope should be a minimum of 3 times the expected depth of the water, however if the boat is to be left unattended the scope should be not less than 5 times the expected maximum depth of the water. If you anchor and leave the boat unattended take into account how the boat will ride to anchor and where it will swing when the tide direction changes to ensure it does not foul other craft. |
KenESmith (6287) | ||
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