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Anchor chain or rope

Discussion in 'Cabo Yacht' started by Capt Maritime, Aug 15, 2022.

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  1. Capt Maritime

    Capt Maritime Member

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    As I am still getting used to my 40 Cabo and while anchored this weekend had a bit of of issue retrieving the anchor. We had a decent wind 15 knots or so. The boat is outfitted with a plow type anchor with a length of chain, maybe 20' of galvanized chain and the rest very new three strand nylon. The previous owner had indicated he had some trouble anchoring.

    Anyway, while retrieving the anchor under a decent load, the nylon rope kept slipping in the windlass. I pulled a bit and up the anchor came. Once the chain picked up in the windlass no problem. The bottom was a sand/mud. I was in 12' of water.

    My previous Cabo, a 1996 35' Express, had all chain with a Fortress anchor which worked well all around the Tampa/St Pete area.

    My question is this - what was the typical anchor load out by Cabo? All chain or a combination of chain and rope? It almost seemed like the nylon rope diameter was simply to small to bite into the windlass.

    Cabo plow anchor .jpg
  2. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Go all chain, 3/8" G4 High Test.
    If you anchor in more than 30'-40' of water, max 150' of chain and splice on another 200' of 3/4" nylon, New England multi-braid is highly recommended.
    Looks like you have a Delta anchor?
    For your size boat it should be 88lbs or more to hold in most conditions.
    (I cruised with a 55 lbs Delta on a 33' sailboat for 10 years, slept very good and if a squall came up I just rolled over in my bunk and ignored the howling winds, and the thunder)
    Or get the next generation, like a Rocna and go one down in size.
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Are you pulling the anchor only by windlass? The windlass dragging the boat into the wind and/or current?
    Or the boat helping, moving forward and just lifting the anchor straight up?
    T.T. likes this.
  4. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    A rope/chain combo can work really well but the rope has to be matched to the windlass (as does the chain of course). Sounds like your rope doesn’t match the windlass. Should be easy enough to look up what you have and what fits. All chain is great if you always anchor in shallow water. I don’t have that luxury and won’t catch any Halibut in 12’ of water . I have 600’ of 8 Plait rope and 100’ of chain and a 72# CQR style knock off. Works well for me including often anchoring in 300’+ for fishing and often around 100’ for overnight. All chain would be weight prohibitive for my situation.
    Just going from memory without looking it up I would think 5/16” chain would easily rate for your 40’.
    T.T. likes this.
  5. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    Get 50 of 5/16" chain and use 8 plait rope. 8 plait will provide better hold on the gypsy and will lay better in the locker.
    Be careful adding a bunch of weight on the bow, it can adversely affect the handling.
    Capt Fred likes this.
  6. Capt Maritime

    Capt Maritime Member

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    Thanks everyone with your feedback. In this case the I used the windlass to slowly walk the boat into the wind - I added a bit of tension and let the boat move up each time slowly moving over the anchor. I think what I have is a mismatch with the rope to the windlass and not enough chain. There was a bunch of 8 plait rope left aboard which was probably the old anchor line from the previous owner. I will get some measurements and confirm the length of chain aboard. The chain locker has plenty of room available for 50' or more of 5/16" chain. I was curious what Cabo provided from the factory as well if anyone knows. The windlass appears to be original from the factory installation.
  7. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Again just to reinforce..
    You should not be using the windlass to pull the boat to the anchor. Retrieve the rode as someone slowly advances the boat to the anchor. Also consider over driving a bit to release the anchor from the bottom. This reduces load on the windlass.
  8. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    All chain is the way to go or at least 100’ if you anchor mostly in shallow water since that’s what you ll use. Doesn’t matter what the boat is or what the manufacturer installed.
  9. Slimshady

    Slimshady Senior Member

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    Manufacturers are notorious for undersizing ground tackle. Use the recommended size based on anchor manufacturer. All chain rode in a sportfish can cause handling issues!!!
    Fire Boar likes this.
  10. Trinimax

    Trinimax Senior Member

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    yea on that size boat 150 foot of chain with 200 ft rope should be good For most anchoring you most likely wont use all the chain, and then you could use a rope snubber to remove the tension from the windlass.
  11. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    On my 40 Cabo we had 75ft chain and 250 of 8plate if memory serves.

    On the 48 I have now plan on doing 100ft chain and 250 8 plate.

    All chain will impact static trim of boat.
  12. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    All chain is equivalent to one adult sitting at the bow. Non issue
    Soulstice and bliss like this.