Anchor Size for 36 Convertible

[Panagiotis]

Good Afternoon,

I just bought a 2001, 36 Convertible and need to replace the anchor rope with all chain. I am considering to put a 5/16'' chain to ensure strength and relatively lower weight. Internet sites sugget 5/16'' or in some cases a slightly larger chain.

I would appreciate any advise on the apropriate 1) size of the chain and 2) length of the chain (I am considering around 180 ft., given that I normally anchor at 10-17 ft. of water).

Thanks.

Panagiotis

[Esquire]

Just throwing something to think about. Why an all chain rode? That is a huge amount of weight that you are going to be putting in your bow. I have a 2000 36 Convertible, essentially the same boat, I anchor quite a bit, I have a chain/rope combination rode (15 feet of chain the rest rope) that works just fine at much less weight. Usually a 7 to 1 scope is the recommended length so anchoring in 10 feet will take 70 feet of rode, but if you stick with an all chain rode the scope could probably be less, but man, heavy stuff all chain rodes, especially with fuel prices the way they are...

[CrazyIslandMoFo]

Check out "FortressAnchors.com" they have some cool diagrams for scope and size I have been using one and I like the weight vs. size
one big question is what type of bottom are you trying to anchor in?, also how deep "might" you have to anchor, in in case of emergency...you may want an extra 150-300 ft of rope backing your chain, standard "scope" is 5'-7' to 1' Even tho chain is heaver, the distance is important to achive the proper setting angle. If your not concerned about weight, a 20 lb "High Tensile" Danforth will hold her.the comp size Fortress is about 13 lbs. Danforth only recomends a 12 lb. however I have had a couple of these smaller anchors bend at the shank on 28' boats. Alot of people also like plough style. anwsers.com "anchor types " has some cool info...