100' of 1/4" or 30' of 3/8" ?

[fla.sailor]

folks,

For my secondary anchor (manson supreme 25lb) what is better, 100' of 1/4" BBB chain or 30' of 3/8" BBB chain (wieght vs strength)? We have 150' of 5/8' rode to fill it out. We'll be using this in the bahamas this spring on a 32' cat weighing in at 7K lbs (plus supplies).

FWIW, the primary anchor is a rocna 33lb on 50' of 1/4" HT chain with 150' of 5/8 rode.

thanks!
-dennis

[imagine2frolic]

The Maxwell Windlass company advised me to stick with 5/16 BBB on my 46ft cat weighing right in at 16+k lb. We did 4 seasons in the Bahamas & south FL. We keep a 150 ft. of chain & 150 ft. of line on our main anchor. 80 ft. of chain & 150 ft. of line on the second anchor. I like the cantenary weight of chain & minimum chafing compared to line.......i2f

[holmek]

I would go with the heavier chain. It's not about strength, but weight and keeping that anchor horizontal. 1/4 in chain is not enough for ANY boat. Well, - - perhaps your dinghy. Have a set length, for me, 30ft, then a length of rode just short of the depth so that it does not touch the bottom. Don't anchor in deeper than 30ft, so that you can dive the anchor out if it gets caught, and preferably around 10ft. Be sure to have anti-chafe on the bowroller.

[imagine2frolic]

If you are using a bridle then your anti chafe should be on the bows. If you are going to go with short chain. Be sure to look over your line each time it comes up onto the boat for wear......i2f

[fla.sailor]

If its all about weight, 100' of 1/4' BBB = 64 lbs and 30' of 3/8 BBB = 41 lbs, so do you suggest more chain on the bottom of smaller size or less that is heavier per foot but less footage (is that a real word?).

thanks and keep the ideas coming!!

CheeRS!
-dennis