Anchors, Chain & More
Anchoring made easy. That's what I wanted. After numerous failed attempts to set my anchor aboard IBIS (NP-43), I started looking for a better solution. In just three seasons my chain had completely rusted and my 25 foot painted markers were invisible. There had to be a better way.
I had several chats with Gerry Travers (Amazing NP-42) and Bob McCreery (North Star NP-52). Both had changed their anchors and both had interesting takes on the problem. Gerry, who's chain had also rusted, re-galvanized his and changed his anchor to a Manson Supreme. Bob choose a Bruce (claw-like) anchor for his replacement. Both report excellent setting and holding ability. Both also use another little trick: a chain grabber.
For IBIS, I settled on a Rocna 25 (55 Lbs.) from New Zealand. The Rocna sits neatly the bowsprit, just like it was made for it. I also replaced the factory chain with 350 feet of made in the USA , grad 30 BBB 3/8 inch chain, which weighed in at some 40 percent heaver than the original chain. And I changed the stainless steel rollers on the bowsprit, which had failed twice, for nylon ones to cut down on the noise. I then straightened my Vetus Alexander III windless, which was cocked to the right 13 degrees.
But I was still left with the problem of measuring the chain as it deployed. We had tried chain markers and painted strips which didn't last long. I found the solution in an inexpensive ($225) gage from another New Zealand outfit. (Those Kiwis are cleaver folks.) CruzPro of Auckland makes several small gages and monitors. Their CH55 Chain Counter fit my anchoring needs. It provides chain counting in feet/meters/fathoms with memory. It also provides monitoring of windless battery voltage. I have it mounted on the dash, just above the Vetus controller for the windless.
Oh yes, that chain grabber thing. It's a stainless steel fitting with a groove in the center and holes on each side. You hook lines to the holes with shackles. Then fit the groove between the links of your chain and lower it until the grabber is just above the water. Then haul in on the lines and secure them to the bow cleats. The pull on the anchor is now low at the waterline and the lines act as shocks cutting down on chain noise. Neat trick aa?
RESOURCES:
Rocna Anchors
PO Box 34 0064
Birkenhead, Auckland 0746
New Zealand
+64 9 447 1961
enquiries@rocna.com
www.rocna.com
CruzPro Ltd.
13 Burgundy Park Avenue
Henderson 0612
New Zealand
Tel: 64-9-838-3331
Fax: 64-9-838-3332
info@cruzpro.com
sales@cruzpro.com
www.cruzpro.com
1st Chain Supply Corp
PO Box 368
797 W. Commercial Ave.
Lowell, Indiana 46356
800-523-2367
219-696-6411)
sales@1st-chainsupply.com
www.1st-chainsupply.com
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anchoring
Good advice.
Everyone has their own methods of anchoring and it is always a good learning curve (or trial by fire )after waking up on the other side of the bay you anchored up in!
For chain we also use BBB which is recomended for the Vetus winch supplied with the boat. 3B or BBB( which MUST be stamped on the links )ensures that the links are measured and calibrated to fit the gypsy correctly. I use 600' as we travel up north where the tide range is over 20' , sheltered bays can have depths of 60' or more ,and where improper anchoring doesn't mean you wake up on the beach, it means you wake up on the rocks. I'm a firm believer in you can't have enough chain laying on the bottom. At around 155 lbs per 100', laying 250' of it on the bottom along with my 66lb Bruce means my anchor weighs close to 450lbs. After laying the hook down , I secure my snubber (aka chain grabber) then we back down on the set and leave the boat in reverse at 1000rpm till the hook grabs and pulls tight on the snubber. By using the snubber, you put no load on winch, which is not designed to withstand that sort of pull. 1000rpm simulates 30kt winds which always seem to show up at 4 in the morning when you are warm and cozy.
To mark the rode I use cable ties (aka zip ties) strapped thru the chain every 100'
1 at 100, 2 at 200 3 at.......
Big black ones, easy to see and tough. After 3 seasons they are still on.
Finally, I have the bitter end of the chain secured to the boat by rope. I learned this the hard way on my previous boat. After snagging the anchor I had a hell of a time and major hassle , cutting the chain. With the rope, in an emergency I can cut the chain free with a knife and after tying a fender to the end, MAYBE have some luck in getting it back.
Or maybe not...........new lesson.
Anchors
Good info and as usual Bill and Mark are helping the rest of us. My only comment is that my Manson Supreme does not fit into the bow pulpit very well. After having it banged up several time by charterers I've added some padding on the end and sides of the pulpit which seems to work. The problem is the "hoop" is wider than the end of the pulpiut so it actually goes around the pulpit end and dings up the fiberglass corner & sides. I have the 66# model as I too felt that with my trips up north I wanted that extra assurance.
If you decide to change the chain be extra careful that it'll fit in the gypsy cogs. You might buy a couple samples of 1' lengths to try before you buy as it is an 8 mm gypsy and not all U S chain works in it (I've forgotten which one did/did not work). Talk to Scott Hanson about his upgrade to a 3/8" gypsy that needed rework to fit on the windlass. No easy answers that I'm aware of.
Gypsy
Hey Gerry, how's it going eh?
When we got 4215 the supplied chain jumped on the gypsy under heavy load and after checking it out closer, I saw that the chain was regular galvanized chain.
The Vetus manual specified 8 or 10 mm chain, I can't remember which, with a special DIN rating. (european)
I found out what the gypsy was rated for , BBB, and got that. Can't remember if it is 3/8 or 5/16, whatever. Just check your manual and buy BBB (3B) appropriate grade chain and problem solved. I've had my winch working perfectly since I bought it.
For an anchor I use a SS 66lb Bruce and had to grind off the top tab all Bruces have to make it fit. It fits perfect and is the biggest I could find that would fit without modifiying the pulpit.
Seems to grab OK. I kept the supplied 35lb ploughtype as a backup but have yet to use it.
Anchors are like women eh, everyone looks for the best but once you find one that fits well and grabs tight shackle'er down, get a good bite, and you'll both sleep tight.