The Carolinas - How much chain?

I know I was under equipped, now I may be a little over. The anchor catches and holds well now, but nothing like pulling 30 lbs of chain 90' by hand. Can anyone advise on the proper chain length for 22' CC? The chain I have now is a heavier gauge than what I had before as well. Not sure how to describe other than it is about the size link of that in a logging chain.

Thanks.

We have 8 feet of 1/4 inch stainless on our danforth anchor. Used this on the 23cc and now on the 22 bay boat. Seems to work well.

I have a 23' cc with 14' of 3/8" chain and a danforth and it holds really well. I'm going to get an anchor ball because even that much chain gets to be a pain in the $$s if I move many times. If I was using 30' I don't know that I would move at all once I had it set. I'd probably just throw more chum and hope for the best. ;cool;

I'd get a windlass-- Anchor Lift is a moderately windlass and seemas as good the Lewmar I replaced.

http://www.anchorlift.com/


Heavy Duty Stainless Steel AISI 316
Model Number Barracuda 900 - B912
Motor: 900 watt
Voltage: 12 volt
Max Working Load: 220 kgs - 485 lbs
Max Power Pull: 660 kgs - 1450 lbs
Amp draw Drop: 24 Amp No load.
Amp draw Up approx: Normal load: 6mm chain approx 45 / 47amp.
Normal load: Rope/chain combo 35 / 38 amp.
Drop Speed: 38 m-126 ft
Up Speed: Normal load: 6mm chain approx 22m - 85ft / 26m - 86ft min
Chain. 6 mm DIN 766 Rope: 12 and 14mm
Gypsy option 2:
USA, Canada: HT G43
Chain 1/4"HT G43 - 7 mm DIN766 Rope: 1/2" - 12 mm
Gypsy option 3:
USA, Canada: HT G43

Chain 1/4"HT G43 - 7 mm DIN766. Rope combo: 9/16" - 14mm
Most used chain:
6mm DIN766 30 to 50m Europe
1/4"HT G43 15 to 25ft in combination with rope. USA, Canada

Most used rope/chain combo
(Rods)

DB1/4-150 165ft - 50m DB1/4-200 215ft - 65m
DB1/4-250 265ft - 80m

Most used anchors: B912 7,5kg - 16,5lbs to 10kg - 22lbs Pro Plow and Pro Claw.
Cable Size: 16mm2 - 5 AWG / 25mm2 - 3AWG Normal cable lenght.
Circuit breaker: 80 amp boats to 28ft / 100amp boats to 35ft
Deck thickness: 20mm - 3/4" to 40mm - 1,57" (Up to 65mm - 2,5" with longer bolts)
Switch gear: Toggle switch 90800, Rocker switch 90801, Foot switch 90900
Radio remote 91354, Combo switch pack 92080 / 92100.
Weight 8,3 kgs - 18,3 lbs
Part No: B912-6 Barracuda 900 SS Low. 900w 12v gypsy 6mm DIN766 chain Rope 12-14mm
B912-7 Barracuda 900 SS Low. 900w 12v gypay 1/4"HT G43 chain Rope 1/2"

Get an anchor ball and the accessories that come with it. It makes all the differance in the world. when you want to leave, you carefully drive back by the rode towards the anchor and keep going. The ball slides down the rode and pulls the anchor up. Next thing you know... the ball is floating the anchor and all you need to do is putt the ball back to the boat.

I have a catamaran, so when using the anchor ball I've tried heading back to the anchor at 15 to 30 degress but the rope seems to travel under one or the other sponsons on the boat, so I gave up on that. Now I use an anchormax capstan style anchor winch with 30' of chain, slotted anchor- have to hand pull the 30' of chain which sucks, but works well- I'll soon have gloves for the chain tug and pull.

Get an anchor ball and the accessories that come with it. It makes all the differance in the world. when you want to leave, you carefully drive back by the rode towards the anchor and keep going. The ball slides down the rode and pulls the anchor up. Next thing you know... the ball is floating the anchor and all you need to do is putt the ball back to the boat.

I have a catamaran, so when using the anchor ball I've tried heading back to the anchor at 15 to 30 degress but the rope seems to travel under one or the other sponsons on the boat, so I gave up on that. Now I use an anchormax capstan style anchor winch with 30' of chain, slotted anchor- have to hand pull the 30' of chain which sucks, but works well- I'll soon have gloves for the chain tug and pull.


As you turn the boat to go back toward the anchor, loop the rope over one of the side cleats, and it won't go under the boat when using the anchor ball. That would have to be a whole lot easier than hand pulling 30' of chain and anchor.

I have a catamaran, so when using the anchor ball I've tried heading back to the anchor at 15 to 30 degress but the rope seems to travel under one or the other sponsons on the boat, so I gave up on that. Now I use an anchormax capstan style anchor winch with 30' of chain, slotted anchor- have to hand pull the 30' of chain which sucks, but works well- I'll soon have gloves for the chain tug and pull.

Big Bass ...... I also have a Cat & never had that problem when using my Anchor ball. ......
We also fly the anchor when moving from spot to spot. Use a short rope that wraps around he anchor line & cleated off the stearn cleat; just make sure that rope is shorter than your free board to prevent the anchor line getting caught up in the props.....ICM

Here's Capt. Tim Barefoot video, he fishes from a Cat......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg2stzG86kk

This should help ......... ICM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nxM7VPOC4M

I know I was under equipped, now I may be a little over. The anchor catches and holds well now, but nothing like pulling 30 lbs of chain 90' by hand. Can anyone advise on the proper chain length for 22' CC? The chain I have now is a heavier gauge than what I had before as well. Not sure how to describe other than it is about the size link of that in a logging chain.

Thanks.

Make sure you use a double chain swivel on your anchor line before the chain. This will prevent twisting up your anchor line , same principle as trolling Clark Spoons ...... ICM
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQTf3RbhzQHREbVjQ7cJaly_llYaFl86 kTtEoSwA1CBRRGmX35s

I have 12' of chain: 6' of 1/4 6' of 3/8. This is the min needed for anchoring in deep water. Then use an Anchor Yanker for the lifting.

The great thing about a long heavy length of chain is that it creates a false scope when anchoring, esp. effective when bottom fishing. The false scope makes it a lot simplier to anchor on a structure with a lot less rode

I was told as a small child 1' of chain for 1' of boat, which is way to much chain. I have reduced to 1/2 of that and never had any trouble even in the strongest currents. It still maybe a little excessive but it works.

I do like the achor ball comment, I need to look into one of those.

I've read the 1' of chain per ft of boat also which for most that may be to much. I think it depends alot on your usage and the anchor, the op has a 22' CC so 6-10' maybe fine. Where as if he were in a larger boat overnighting ya may want a lot more.
I read where only 6' of chain was recomended by the manufacturer for a 14# Delta, but I can't find any recomendations on the manuf. website.

Get and read Chapman's.

I'd rather have too much than not enough if conditions took a turn for the worse.

For my Parker 23 DVSC I have 30' of 3/8", 300' of 1/2" rode and a 16# plow anchor. Never an issue in deep water west coast/Baja or east coast wreck fishing. I also have a vertical capstan winch for use in deep water. The 1/2" rode makes pulling by hand much easier than the 3/8". Always keep gloves and a knife handy.

For my Blackjack 224 I have 20' of 3/8" chain, 150' of 3/8" rode and a Danforth (don't remember the weight). Definitely overkill for sound fishing/beach use. The stern anchor is 10' of chain and a smaller Danforth. Plus the Power Pole.

The 16' skiff has similar overkill, scaled down.

When you really need it, you can only use what you have. You can't go get more. Lose power in a rip or on a lee shore with a bad wind. You will get respect for overkill real fast.

I sleep well on the hook....

All great points. I have been doing some reading on the subject as well and you guys are spot on.

All great points. I have been doing some reading on the subject as well and you guys are spot on.

Another good idea is to use depth marker label that slip between the rope strands ...... ICM

Typically, we are anchoring in 80 to 160 feet.

In my Century 2900, I use 22lb plow and 50 feet of 1/4 HT. I think that it is a little overkill, but, we bottom fish and do not want to slide off the mark.

I would like to use a shorter, heavier chain, but, my Anchorlift is for 1/4.

If you ask an old salt this same question, I believe the answer would be "You can never have too much chain"

Got a good start on not having too much. Thanks again for the board and all of the great advice that can be found here.