Anchor Chain Opinions

[Capt. Debbie]

There a book Seamanship Secrets by John Jamieson that describing rigging all boats.

Jamieson recommends that it be 3/4 of boat length. 20 foot boat is 15' of chain.

The more chain used, the less scope (line to pay out) is needed.

And DONT BUY heavy anchor line ( e.g. 5/8"). The anchor can not hold anywhere near that breaking strength (5/8 inch is about 12,000 lbs). It takes up too much room ( less line in the locker) and gets you less ( more $, less line, no better than 3/8" line(breaking strength 4,000 lbs). And 8 pound Danforth anchor gives you at best- 800lbs holding power

Your anchor that size gives you a hundreds of pound holding power in the best of bottoms. So why buy line with 12,000 lb breaking point line. It's ignorance and waste of money and waste of anchor locker space.