What Size Anchor Chain for 32’ Tri

[DragonflyBob]

Dragonfly 32 trimaran, 8,500 lbs max loaded. Primarily for usage along Gulf coast so mostly sand/silt/mud anchoring spots. Boat is pretty shallow draft with centerboard up (about 2’) so most anchoring spots will be in 5’-10’ of water.

What size chain to use, 1/4” or 5/16”?

Will be using (made in USA) stainless chain, probably 60’ of chain and 100’ of anchor rope in the locker, also will be using bridle.

Thanks for feedback!

[SailFastTri]

If you plan on 60’ of chain I’d recommend you use 1/4”. If you reduce the chain segment to 40’ you could use 1/4 or 5/16”. Use 5/8 rode with 5/16 chain, or 1/2 rode with 1/4” chain.
Keep your weight to a minimum and your boat will sail better. Also, since the 32 doesn’t come with windlass you’re going be hand over hand. Make your bridal legs 18-21 feet for a balance of easy handling and good performance, and attach it to the outer ends of forward beams. Longer bridals have better performance.
For context, I’ve owned 3 Dragonfly trimarans (920, 1000, and 1200) over a span of 21 years.

[SailFastTri]

Considering you plan to anchor in shallow waters, IMHO 40’ of chain would be better because without a windlass you would want all your chain in the water and only rope on the bow cleats. Chain will scratch the fiberglass where it comes aboard.

[DragonflyBob]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

If you plan on 60’ of chain I’d recommend you use 1/4”. If you reduce the chain segment to 40’ you could use 1/4 or 5/16”. Use 5/8 rode with 5/16 chain, or 1/2 rode with 1/4” chain.
Keep your weight to a minimum and your boat will sail better. Also, since the 32 doesn’t come with windlass you’re going be hand over hand. Make your bridal legs 18-21 feet for a balance of easy handling and good performance, and attach it to the outer ends of forward beams. Longer bridals have better performance.
For context, I’ve owned 3 Dragonfly trimarans (920, 1000, and 1200) over 21 years.

Thanks for the feedback. Our 32 does have a Quick DP2E anchor windlass and we have an anchor bridle. I just checked the manual and it has an 8mm Gypsy which implies using 5/16” chain. However, would 6mm (1/4” chain) work with that Gypsy I wonder?

What the boat came with is weighted anchor line so we want to replace that with a chain/line combination rode.

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by DragonflyBob

Thanks for the feedback. Our 32 does have a Quick DP2E anchor windlass and we have an anchor bridle. I just checked the manual and it has an 8mm Gypsy which implies using 5/16” chain. However, would 6mm (1/4” chain) work with that Gypsy I wonder?

What the boat came with is weighted anchor line so we want to replace that with a chain/line combination rode.

No, you must have the exact chain type specific to the gypsy on your windlass. Also, I strongly recommend 8-plait brait rope rather than 3-strand twisted. It falls into the locker better (less likely to jam) and takes less space in the locker.
That weighted line is well suited to your secondary anchor.

[DragonflyBob]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

No, you must have the exact chain type specific to the gypsy on your windlass. Also, I strongly recommend 8-plait brait rope rather than 3-strand twisted. It falls into the locker better (less likely to jam) and takes less space in the locker.
That weighted line is well suited to your secondary anchor.

Thanks for all the feedback and advice SFT!

[rgleason]

8-plait is good but it tends to hold more water and get dirtier.