www.iFourWinns.com

Yes, a 7:1 scope is going to give you much to wide a swing at anchor to bother using it for anything other than storm conditions. Although, in high winds everyone's likely getting pushed in the same direction. Swing is the last thing anyone's worried about at that particular moment.

The only time I could see myself using it would be in an emergency situation, not in an anchorage area with other boats. Like if I had to throw out the hook in the face of a sudden storm (like back on 7/4/06). A very long scope would've probably been the only way to maintain position without the rode being so tight as to pull the bow under in the face of 7'+ seas. Fortunately the storm passed before than became a necessary action.

From my perspective there are some times to regret having all chain:

When you buy it (don't forget the shipping costs too).

When you have to pull it up manually because your windlass crapped out.

When the anchor gets stuck. With line you can just cut it. With chain you have to get out the tools and unbolt it (or use bolt cutters). PRAY you never have to do this in rough seas. Or when some other boat breaks loose and has gotten fouled on your chain, dragging you both onto the fast approaching rocks...

When the conditions are rough enough to have that chain start battering your anchor roller and pulpit. At least line has some shock absorbing potential, and without the metal grinding away at the roller.

But I'm not making an argument to against chain, just making some observations. More chain is certainly good, all chain isn't a choice I'd make.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I am no expert, but have been anchoring for 15+ years with 10 feet of chain. Scope is the key, not 150' friggin' feet of chain ! Unless you own an 80ft yacht. I have never had my anchor come loose with adequate scope.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I don't think I said you have to have 150' of chain. I wasn't going for that much, but I got a heck of a deal thanks to the boatersworld liquidation.

as for anchoring with 10' feet of chain successfully for 15 years... Congratulations. You are the absolutlely the only person that I have ever met that has said that. You are an expert. I don't know anyone out here who can claim that with a 26'+, 8000lb+ cruiser.

Maybe you boat in the right areas with a different lake bottom composition-- but that doesn't work in the puget sound in my neck of the woods... Out here, anchors love to skid along the bottom. We have more hard bottoms than soft.

it's different for everyone. I just know what works for me and I swear by it. Out of 10 anchoring experiences last year with the H240 and 8' of chain... I successfully anchored once. That makes me a novice - and need every advantage and opportunity. Yes, I'm that bad. With my chain - I've set anchor at least 10 times now with the 318. I've successfully set anchor on the first try just about every time (took me 2 attempts on the 4th of July because of the crowds).

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Well, then you don't apparently know many people. I have a dozen or more friends that own 26 to 32 foot cruisers, all have 10 to 15 foot of chain and 200 to 300 feet of line attached.
We all regularly raft up together, or frequent the same favorite spots. All of them have not had an issue with the anchor coming loose. Once in a great while, on a muddy silty bottom, you have to set the anchor a couple of times to get it to hold for the day. Most of our lakes have sandy bottoms, which does make it a bit easier. The only boats I have seen in my area with that much chain are 45' plus.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Cougar,

How much does 150' of chain weigh?

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

It's rated at .75 pounds per foot... so what, 110-115 pounds. I carried the 120' box to my Yukon without issue. But it's a heck of alot heavier than rope.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I had similar problems with our 268 in certain conditions here on Saginaw bay. Its pretty much a sand/mud bottom, but in any wave action it didn't seem to matter how much rode was out it would eventually pull loose. The last time it happened the swim ladder was down and it bent it under the platform.... ouch, that was expensive.

When I bought this boat used it had a 14 lb delta plow anchor off the bow roller I'm not sure if this was from the factory or the previous owner put it on. According to all the charts though a 14 lb plow should be good for a 31' boat. I decided to stop at West Marine and see if the next size (22 lb) would fit on the roller. It fit perfectly, and it was on sale for like $129.00. So I bought it and put it on. That was the ticket, I have not had any problems since. Agiain according to the charts the 22 lb should be good for a 41' boat. Oh well a little overkill, but the anchor was less than half of what the new swim ladder was.

Ohh yeah, my achor rhode is 1/2" rope with 20' of 1/4" chain

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)