Bryan wrote:
"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..

Bryan wrote:

I might try the 2 off the bow next time I overnight at Isla Coronado. I
don't need to; it's an uncrowded anchorage with plenty of swing room and
no current or wind shift concerns. However, it is a 30 foot depth so I
am maxed out on scope. Maybe I'll sleep better with 2 anchors down.

I was about to say that 300 feet was a lot of chain to put down for 30
feet unless you're very exposed. But I thought I'd look at a chart
first - that certainly looks like like its totally exposed with a ten mile
fetch to the mainland. This would be considered a pretty marginal
anchorage here in New England. We have a few such destinations, Mohegan,
Isle of Shoals, etc., but for the most part, its easy to find good
protection. Of course, the really nice places closer to Boston are
saturated with moorings.

Still, if you're not happy carrying 300 feet of chain, I would suggest
that you could get by with 50 feet of chain and 300 feet of nylon. The
holding power will be just about the same, and in fact you'll be better
able to feel when the hook is set firmly. If you like the extra weight of
chain, you can strap some diver's weights on the rode and slide them down
about 40 feet.

BTW, what kind of anchor do you use, and do you have a windlass?


The ground tackle is a Danforth anchor, 30 feet of chain, 250 feet of nylon.
No windlass. I aim for a 7:1 scope so 30 feet at high tide is the max depth
I'll anchor in. At Catalina I aim for a spot with 20 feet depth so I can
let out more rode if needed. I'm a fair weather anchorer, so I'll be on a
mooring if conditions aren't near perfect or I won't go. And you're right
my most common anchorages are not textbook perfect. I don't know where the
idea of 300 feet of chain came from (but it wouldn't be on the boat I'm
sailing).

Bryan


With a rope rode 7:1 is not uncommon, with a chain rode 5:1 is the norm.
300 feet of chain let you drop the pick in depths up to 60 feet, not
uncommon in the Pacific MW. In fact, recent studies have show that at
extreme depths (80 to 100 feet) the same 300 feet of rode will hold fine
at 3:1 ratio. You do need a healthy windlass and it does give one some
exercise (I have a manual windlass).