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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Anchor and Rode

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/09/2010 : 17:06:54

I am looking at my primary anchor and maybe reading too much on anchoring. I sail in salt water and want to have the appropriate amount of chain vs line. My question is how much can the C25 anchor locker hold and what is the optimal ratio of chain vs line for our boats? As I would be anchoring in @ 25-30 ft of water at MHT optimally I would to have @30 ft of chain and 200 of line - but is that required and would it fit into the forward locker? What does this sage group suggest??

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2010 : 18:49:24

Peter,
I can only give you my experience with my C-250, but maybe that'll give you a starting point.

Our primary anchor is a 22lb plow, with 30' of 1/4 (5/16"?) chain attached to 200' of 3/8" three strand nylon. We've never had to use it thus far. Our "lunch hook" is a 15 lb Danforth with only six feet of 5/16" chain, and about 100' of 3/8" three strand nylon line. I've emergency anchored in 45' of water (2:1 scope) in a river when a line got wrapped around our prop and had it hold admirably. We were dragging, but not very much, and it gave me enough time to get the line untangled. I plan to remove the 6' section of chain & replace it with at least 20', maybe 30'. I keep both of them in the bow anchor locker with a bit of room to spare. I use a wide nylon bag to keep the Danforth & rode separate from the claw & rode which works pretty well. It has a hook that allows me to attach it to the forestay when I'm restuffing the rode into the bag, or feeding it out when anchoring.

We actually have two more anchors, but one's for the dinghy (an 8lb Danforth), and I scored a Fortress on CL a while back but haven't incorporated it into the boat yet.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2010 : 19:55:11

We have a 15# Danforth w/ 10' of 5/16" chain and 200' of 3/8" three stand nylon line. The anchor locker is pretty full...once the anchor is raised, I temporarily store it on the bow pulpit hooks and very neatly coil the line in the locker, paying attention to keeping it as far in the corners and along edges as possible, then the chain in the center w/ the anchor on top...it's a crowded locker, but it all fits...kind of like tools in a tool box...you've got to put them away just right to get them all in!

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/09/2010 : 22:35:54

On Passage, I kept the PO's Danforth as a lunch hook in the anchor locker, with less chain that I preferred--maybe 10-12'... So, for an overnight hook, I bought a 14# Delta and (as I recall) 25' of 1/4" chain and 200' of 1/2" nylon, and stored them in a mesh duffle under a dinette seat. I decided the Delta and rode weren't going to fit in the bow locker, and figured two anchors were a good idea, so that's where I ended up. (On Sarge, I have a 22# Delta primary on a windlass--awfully nice for both lunch and single-handed cruising--and a Fortress secondary in a locker, ready for the worst!)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 02/09/2010 22:37:18

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2010 : 12:50:21

Peter, I too am in salt water. I have a similar set-up as Dave B., probably based on his recommendations and much research! I have a 2003 C250 and keep only the lunch hook in the anchor locker. The primary, which I have never needed or used, is kept below. I have never tried to get both in the locker like David as I can't see a way they would both fit or if so in such a way I would have easy access, especially in an emergency.
I have used the lighter Danforth on many occasions and it does well. You might want to check out WM's site as they have a pretty good section re this.
Keep in mind what you need may be different than me, depending on your bottom, etc. You might also ask your local marine store, or other sailors in your area. Also look for clubs that have monthly speakers on this topic. Like most things re safety, you do not want to be cheap.
Steve A
PS David, hope one day you make it to SoCal and show me how you do that!

This weekend and next couple of weeks are supposed to be in the 70's.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 02/11/2010 : 23:05:44

Rodes are a funny business and generate strong opinions. I suspect that there are more rules of thumb than anchor designs. One respected anchor guru says that the weight of an appropriate sized chain should equal the weight of the anchor and another recommends chain equal to your average anchoring depth (not scope); less assignable popular ideas include chain equal to the length of the boat, fixed lengths like 10' or 12', and to many other "rules" to count. There are far to many variables for general rules to be to be more than a vague guide. Rocky areas suggest more abrasion resistant chain, but are you capable of hauling 100' of chain back aboard? I lean toward the chain equals anchor weight, but when I go to the granite laden North Channel and need to spend most nights on the hook, I think I'll be stringing on more chain. More chain is more secure to a point, but nobody can really say where that point is for your anchoring.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.