Danny, Even with a 40’ boat, placing that much chain in a bow locker will drastically change the balance of the boat and boat handling will be compromised. We had friends with a Tayana 64 that sailed beautifully upwind and downwind until they put 250’ of chain in the bow. Downwind the boat suffered greatly and steered like a truck going upwind as the bow tended to plow.
Why not use a combination of chain and 8 Plait rope that will fit the gypsy on your Windlass and save yourself considerable weight? Most firm 8 plait rode will act just like chain in your windlass and wont require a shackle at the chain/rope junction. If the windlass is designed to accommodate 5/16” chain, using 5/8” 8 Plait should be sufficiently large and robust to allow the chain/rope to pass smoothly into your locker and will take up far less room than a comparable length chain only rode. Full disclosure, I work for a rope manufacturer so perhaps my preference towards a combination rode may not be completely unbiased. I will say that the folks at Defender sell literally thousands and thousands of feet of both chain and rope and given their New England locale, I don’t think its unreasonable to take their advice given your sailing area. Best, Chuck Gilchrest S/V Half Magic 1983 35 Landfall Padanaram, MA From: CnC-List <cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com> On Behalf Of Danny Haughey via CnC-List Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2018 10:30 AM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Danny Haughey <djhaug...@juno.com> Subject: Stus-List Anchor chain advice Hi All, I've got an old simpson lawrence sprint 1500 windlass on Rum Runner with an RC172 gypsy. This gypsy is for 5/16” G43 HT ISO chain. Currently I can't identify the existing chain but it certainly is the wrong size for the gypsy and the measurements don't match G4 or BBB chain. I have 45lb CQR that came with the boat. So, my plan currently is to go with a new chain and shackle. I was thinking of going all chain at about 275 feet of the 5/16 G4. This is by no means a small investment! Defender has a 275 foot 1/2 drum for just under $800. this is the cheapest I can find by a few hundred bucks. the shackle will add another $100... I may be able to save a few bucks by waiting for the spring sale. My question is really more of search for validation. Does this solution seem well suited for my situation. Currently we are coastal cruisers that do a week out a couple times a summer around the cape and islands but, I do have visions of venturing further. my only choices for a gypsy is the current one or replace that with one that takes 3/8 BBB chain. That chain is actually more expensive, heavier and has a lower working load limit. Does all chain seem like overkill? I could also buy a pail of 90 feet 5/16 G4 for $300. the weight difference is about 200lbs over the 275 feet of chain. My T40 has a displacement of 17,250lbs according to sailboat data. the mantus website recommends 5/16 G4 chain for boats up to 40 feet and 20,000 lbs. I know I'm nearing the limit but, I think this is the most practical solution for now. If I were to head off into the sunset, I believe I would upgrade the windlass, chain and anchor but, for now... I'd also like to throw a word out for John over at SL Spares. We've been emailing for a month or two figuring out exactly what I have and my options going forward. really great service if you happen to have one of these old simpson lawence units! -- Danny T40 Rum Runner IV Mattapoisett, MA
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