Need anchor chain recommendation

[thataway]

To give a little different prospective on Boris's comments--I have seen nylon rode exceed the safe working load in anchoring systems a number of time. The advantage of nylon is its ability to absorb shock--up to a point. I have seen 1/2" nylon get to the point where it was so hot it fused the inner parts of the 3 strands, but did not fail. I have also seen 1/2" nylon in use as a snubber fail. (much larger boat).

The point about the dock cleat is well taken. It depends on how well the cleat is backed---and most of our boats are not adequately backed. (an aluminum plate is preferable to fender washers)--and I have seen inadequately backed cleats pull out of the deck--I also saw a boat where a one inch line held, yet the cleat bent in half (unusual circumstance in the Panama Canal, where a 55 foot Hatteras was hanging from a single stern cleat--there the cleat was still intact but bent in a "U" and not pulled thru the deck, and the line was not damaged visiably.

Although the anchor tests show relitatively low holding power--and they are correct,--there is that time when the anchor hangs under a rock and the forces can be far more (again I agree that over 2000 lbs on a 22 C Dory would be very , very unusual.

However, I have seen a number of shackles fail. Especially those from China--as many are--which are cast, instead of forged. This holds for both SS as well as mild steel. A plea to look at, and evaluate the shackles to be sure that they are not the weak point. A good drop forged shackle or high quality SS shackle is not going to fail, but be sure that you do have a quality item.

[journey on]

Jay, Judy's anchor puller (BW-before windlass,) did those things and held a steady job. AW, Judy gets to do a lot of the work.

Consider yourself honored and your windlass selection excellent. And don't buy a bigger boat.

Boris