Maximum anchor chain length 1986 GB42C

[Bongi]

We need to replace our anchor chain on our 1986 GB42C.

I was wondering what is the most I can get onboard without making surgical changes to the anchor-well?

 

[slowgoesit]

What size and length do you currently have?

 

[Airstream345]

Generally speaking you should set the limit based on:

1. Working load limit of your windlass for the weight of your chain size + anchor + at least a 10% factor.

2. Physical space available in the anchor locker

I see you're profile city is Sammamish. Can I assume that's here in the PNW? If so and you're boating around Puget Sound then 300' of chain is quite nice when you end up getting pushed to the deeper parts of anchorages (common to anchor in 60' - a 70' in the summer in popular places like Friday Harbor or Sucia).

Also - I found Washington Chain and Supply in SODO to have the best prices on galvanized chain and they keep large quanitites in stock and can make up custom lengths.

 

[firstbase]

We need to replace our anchor chain on our 1986 GB42C.

I was wondering what is the most I can get onboard without making surgical changes to the anchor-well?

I have an '87 GB42C. The anchor locker is divided fore/aft by a small bulkhead with a door. The forward area holds approx. 270' of 3/8" chain. The aft compartment has 225' of 5/8" 3-braid rode. I think the chain locker could hold another 15' or so of chain without it getting too cramped. I wouldn't want to pile it too high as it might interfere with it dropping into place as it comes through from the deck. Not sure if that is a reasonable concern as I haven't actually tried it. I am also not sure if the divided anchor locker is standard or if it was revised by a previous owner. If I didn't have the divided locker, I could carry substantially more.

Hope that helps some.

 

[Bongi]

Excellent, thanks folks.

Yes Airstream, I’m a Puget Sounder … and it’s precisely that anchoring in the Desolation Sound (and north) area that has me wanting to max out the chain.

Thanks for the pointer on where to get it too. Good quality at a good price is key. The good stats is what Hal posted. Now I have a practical number to work with.

Thinking of upgrading to a beefy Rocna Vulcan. We had a Rocna Classic on our sailboat and it was almost neck-dislocating when it set. Loved it!

Do any of you use a Vulcan and if so, what size did you go with?

 

[firstbase]

We have a Vulcan 33, 73lbs that has worked well. Some tell me that it may be slightly oversized but it fits fine on the bow and we can handle it OK. I don't think I would want it any heavier.

 

[rslifkin]

If you're worried about how much chain will fit and you currently have 3/8" chain, look at what the chainwheel options for your windlass are. If you can get one that takes 5/16" G43, that's plenty strong for the boat and you'll be able to fit more of it in the locker (plus it's 2/3 as heavy per foot). If 270 feet of 3/8" fits, you'll probably fit close to 400 feet of 5/16".

 

[OldDan1943]

realize the chain "castle" is unstable and will fall into a pile. You dont want so much chain as to effect the ballasting of the boat at rest and/or underway.

 

[Airstream345]

Excellent, thanks folks.



Yes Airstream, I’m a Puget Sounder … and it’s precisely that anchoring in the Desolation Sound (and north) area that has me wanting to max out the chain.



Thanks for the pointer on where to get it too. Good quality at a good price is key. The good stats is what Hal posted. Now I have a practical number to work with.



Thinking of upgrading to a beefy Rocna Vulcan. We had a Rocna Classic on our sailboat and it was almost neck-dislocating when it set. Loved it!



Do any of you use a Vulcan and if so, what size did you go with?

We have both. We use a Vulcan 55 as the primary and have a Rocna 70 as the “storm anchor”. The curved shank on the Vulcan makes it easy to get on and off the bow roller and I usually drop from inside the Pilothouse. It’s on 300’ of 1/2 chain so about 1000lbs in total. Needless to say we sleep well on anchor.

Make sure you size it based on the weight of your vessel. Most sizing charts use LOA instead of weight and the difference can be significant. We sized the Vulcan for our 35 tons and then went up one side for good measure.

 

[koliver]

Bongi
I see you started this thread on Feb 13 and were last here on Feb 14.
Sorry that I am so late to the party.
My cruising grounds are the same as you, my boat is a little bigger, though not much. In 37 years, I can find no fault with using ~200' of 5/16" chain. I back that up with ~200' of 5/8" nylon braid. All of this is attached to my 44# CQR.
My chain locker may not be the same as yours, as my bow has some flare and the locker extends forward in the bow past where your stem rises almost vertically. I may be more sensitive to the weight forward, though what effect that might have to more weight is not known, as I have never tried it.
I find that in Desolation, using just enough of the nylon rode to lessen the chain noise is often the maximum used in any summer trip, with most anchoring done on the first 150' of chain. Any more than 3 to 1 is rare, as is more than 50' depth. I am usually anchor boat in a raft of 2, where the second is a GB42, or 3, where we are joined by a Canoe Cove 42 and tied back. Any larger boat that joins us ends up being anchor boat.

 

[Bongi]

Fantastic, thanks Keith. I was not thinking much about using the rope rode for the Desolation Sound scenario, but now you mention it, it makes sense.

The sheer weight of 200+ of chain and heavy anchor could make the dear old windlass start to “wind less”