MacGregorSailors.com

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Maybe this is an ignorant question, but doesn't the design and yes of coarse the size of the boat make a big difference? My brother in Port Charlotte Fl. Has a boat only a few feet longer than mine (31') but about 6 feet wider and 6xs as heavy. He swears by a total chain anchor system. Mine /our boats looks like a canoe in comparison to his. He as well spends frequent overnights 30+ miles out in the Gulf just he and the wife.
I am glad I don't have to hand over hand 200 ft. of 3/8 chain and a 30lb anchor. There is also no desire on my part to cut and leave an open hole in the deck of my boat for a chain. Eric how else are you going to access 200 ft of chain on the sole of your cabin in the middle of the boat?on edit: of coarse he has a huge windlass with a dedicated waterproof chain locker, and three batteries that to me look like small coffins and 2-315hp diesel's to charge those batteries . Speaking of batteries he is using gel-cells as he pays 50% of retail

Dimitri-2000X-Tampa wrote: ... a lot of weight high up and right at the bow. This is not good for the stability of a Mac boat.

Like Frank, I just flake my line into the anchor locker and it has never fouled. It is also nylon, probably about 3/8 inch line.

Regarding the length of chain, I need to measure, but I don't think I have more than about 6 feet. It is a good heavy chain though

Dimitri (& Divecoz) - we agree. Fact is, I believe we earlier convinced another long-term cruiser that an all-chain rode is ill advised for a boat of this size and weight. It cannot endure that CoG offset, nor the resulting pitch potential. Wouldn't want a hole through my foredeck, either.

My mixed rode doesn't tangle, maybe because my dealer taught me how to flake a rode, or maybe from using a better quality rode. I keep two of them in the locker, primary on top. And, I prefer using a single really good anchor. If I always wanted both anchors down .... maybe I'd fuss a bit about the surplus primary rode (in which case Duane pictures the solution).

Also agree, for combined nylon/chain rodes it is the weight of chain that bears on catenary, not length. Length definitely adds value in coral, but that's not an issue for coastal Calif. Meanwhile, the short, heavy chain is just lots easier on the foredeck & hull, easier to hoist and stow. Further, doubling the chain adds very little to an anchor's holding power, whereas adding a 12# kellet (given the Mac 26) can triple the deterrence from unsetting the anchor.

It's kinda like the urgent rush to tandem trailers ... protecting against a rare or non-existent eventuality. The tandem axle adds more value when the tow vehicle is inadequate ... otherwise, needless cost, complexity, weight, etc.

Hey Frank, nice way to sneak in that little OT jab on the double axle trailers...haha



Chip will be dragging this thread into his forum if you aren't careful.....and causing a mod war.

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hmmmmm

150 lbs of chain in my anchor locker is not going to help my boat balance.


Chain is wonderful if you dont have a lot of swing room at anchorage..........

Me..


I'll anchor farther out. I need the exercise rowing anyway.

I have enough problem already with two anchors and lines and chains up on my pulpit........1 bruce and 1 danforth.........

But.......

I like my boat to stay where I put it.

Eric you are wrong about a few things you say a few posts back concerning chain. It is very important, particularly on smaller boats (e.g. MacGregors) to have good shock absorption, and that means nylon or rubber snubbers. In rough weather any amount of chain will quickly be pulled bar tight - in short, you should not be using solely chain on a MacGregor.

Catenary from chain or point loads like a kellet do nothing for the ultimate holding power of the anchor in decent holding with a decent anchor, so there is little point in concerning yourself with it.

That's not to say chain shouldn't be used; it has many other advantages, and a leader the length of the boat should be considered the bare minimum.

eric3a wrote:I'll have do to some more research, especially since I'm not as familiar with imperial units, but I'd think 6mm chain (1/4"?) should be more than enough for a 26 considering it's weight

Maybe 7mm would be better for a 26, depending a little on the anchor.

Sometimes the anchor tangle mess cannot be avoided. A always to lay the rode down clockwise. I stand in the anchor locker and coil the rode between my feet. The 25' of chain that I have goes on top to hold it down.

I had tried a shorted 8' chain and was advised to get 25'. When I did that the anchor held better and I had less sway at anchor.

I have not put out 2 anchors yet, but I am going to get the stern rail seats and put the 2nd anchor there by attaching a 3" by 3 foot long piece of PVC, putting the anchor shaft in the hole and a bag for the chain and rode. This might be a better solution for you as you will always have an emergancy anchor handy and can cast the anchor without leaving the cockpit.

I never "coil" the anchor rode, rather flake it into the locker so it is on layers. It seems to never have a tangle that way, just feeds cleanly as the anchor drops - on my Mac dealer's advice.

When anchoring in a lakeside cove, the conditions rarely demand sophisticated measures. But when anchored off the SoCal coast I have used two anchors, both at the bow. That causes twisting of the rodes if the boat clocks around, really a hassle. But with two anchors at the bow, aligned about 30 to 45 degrees from each other, the boat will usually pull on one of them with the second available as a backup. As winds shift their roles change.

I would never want bow and stern anchors when exposed to winds and constant ocean swell and tides. It seems fine for lakes, at least where swells aren't severe ... probably not advised on the Great Lakes either, unless in a well sheltered cove.

Frank, The stern anchor is an emergancy anchor, day anchor and a place to put the second anchor. I should have been more to the point about stern anchoring. It is not recommended execpt in the lighest of winds when you want more wind into the cabin WITH a way to release it when the wind get to strong.

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I go with Frank,

A cove if I can,

two anchors if I am not on deck,

the right kind of 3 strand anchor lines, with the proper lay,

2 off the bow whenever possible, and approximately equal length whenever possible.

a spare on the stern or ashore.

lots of chain

and I keep a spare anchor line (150ft) in a bag on the pulpit. ya never know. It has come in handy for several other.........er..... forgetful moments.

I have also taken to clipping into the bow eye to lower the attach point and spread the loads.

I haven't beached one unintentionally yet.......

Sheltered anchorages are surely the first choice, but the Channel islands have little to offer. The best you'll get is to choose an island's lee shore ... which can change unexpectedly. Still, there's something raw and exciting about visiting this semi-wilderness area, from 15 to 45 miles off the SoCal coast.

There's not enough shelter in any of the anchorages to be cavalier about anchoring technique ... I think they're called "roadsteads." We spent 2 nights rocking & rolling off Santa Cruz island, first at Scorpion, next at Prisoners (IIRC). Prisoners was pretty rough and I didn't want to be too close to the other Macs, so I set anchors (at the bow) off the western cliffs, depths about 20' ... definitely not the place to beach if an anchor drags (all 3 Macs anchored about where the "P" shows on this map). The cliffs pose another problem, as the swell refracts from the cliffside.

A big motor launch (50-footer?) joined us at midnight. I'm not sure how he judged our swing circle, but IMO he was too d@mn close. His chain noise must have awakened Davy Jones, cause that's when the boat really started rockin' to the swell. After a couple of hours, I fell asleep to the soothing sounds of his generator and the splashing of coolant water!
He was gone when we awoke at 6:30 ... never heard him leave ... guess I was just too tired.

Santa Cruz Island is located in Santa Barbara County. Santa Cruz is California's largest island, almost three times the size of Manhattan. Located between Anacapa and Santa Rosa Islands, it lies from 19-25 miles off the adjacent mainland coast between Ventura and Santa Barbara. It is approximately:

• 24 miles long and up to 6 miles wide (32 km. by 9 km.)
• 96 square miles 249 sq. km.) 62,000 acres (25,100 hectares)
• Average rainfall- 20 inches. Temperature range- 20 F to 100 F.
• Painted Cave is the largest known sea cave in the world.
• The Nature Conservancy owns and manages the western 76% of the island;
• The eastern 24% is owned and managed by the National Park Service
• Access limited; no services available.