onthejob
Member
- May 1, 2013
- 266
- Boat Info
- 2003.5 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer, Raymarine A97 and Quantum radar. Hurley Davits with a Zodiac 310 Wave
- Engines
- 2x 370-hp MerCruiser 8.1S Horizon with V-Drives turning 4 blade wheels
Current OEM set up: 2003.5 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer, 200' of 5/8" anchor line with 25' of 5/16" chain attached to a 25# plow anchor with a Lofrans Progress One windlass. My playground is Lake Ontario. My typical over night anchoring situation is less than 12-15' in protected waters with a combo of sand/rock/weeds/mud. No currents or tides to deal with. (or saltwater)
Situation: The boat is 16 years old, I am the second owner. It is probable, the PO used it as a day boat, so he'd probably drove it 20 minutes from the slip and anchored in 10 feet of water for the afternoon. I say this because it appears he let all of the chain out and then another 5'-15' of line, leaving it in the windlass. The anchor line from 0'-20' is showing signs of wear, with two spots I am not comfortable with. IMO it needs to be replaced. The line 25'+ is pristine. I combo cruise and day trip with the boat. I all most always tie off the anchor anchor line to the bow cleat when I anchor to get any stress off the windlass, unless it's just for a few minutes with little or no wind.
My thought: I want to go with an all chain replacement. It was an option for this boat year/model: 125' 5/16" all anchor chain, according to the manual. I understand about using a bridle/chain snubber when anchoring with all chain and the one I like puts out 25' of line for the absorption and lowering the pulling point along with preventing the dragging chain noise while sleeping. The replacement price for all chain (on sale right now at W.M. so no shipping charges) is close enough in cost to line/chain rode combo to make it worth it to me right now. Added note: The gypsy wheel occasionally stumbles on this 0'-20' section of anchor line because of the wear.
Question: Are there any disadvantages that would make me rethink going all chain? Anyone have regrets or wish they didn't have all chain? Should I go longer than 125'? The potential noise is the only one I can come up with.
Situation: The boat is 16 years old, I am the second owner. It is probable, the PO used it as a day boat, so he'd probably drove it 20 minutes from the slip and anchored in 10 feet of water for the afternoon. I say this because it appears he let all of the chain out and then another 5'-15' of line, leaving it in the windlass. The anchor line from 0'-20' is showing signs of wear, with two spots I am not comfortable with. IMO it needs to be replaced. The line 25'+ is pristine. I combo cruise and day trip with the boat. I all most always tie off the anchor anchor line to the bow cleat when I anchor to get any stress off the windlass, unless it's just for a few minutes with little or no wind.
My thought: I want to go with an all chain replacement. It was an option for this boat year/model: 125' 5/16" all anchor chain, according to the manual. I understand about using a bridle/chain snubber when anchoring with all chain and the one I like puts out 25' of line for the absorption and lowering the pulling point along with preventing the dragging chain noise while sleeping. The replacement price for all chain (on sale right now at W.M. so no shipping charges) is close enough in cost to line/chain rode combo to make it worth it to me right now. Added note: The gypsy wheel occasionally stumbles on this 0'-20' section of anchor line because of the wear.
Question: Are there any disadvantages that would make me rethink going all chain? Anyone have regrets or wish they didn't have all chain? Should I go longer than 125'? The potential noise is the only one I can come up with.