Replacing windlass on N36. I’m looking to find out what others have used on their boats. Thinking about a Lewmar V3, 60 feet of 5/8" chain spliced onto 150 feet of nylon rope. I’ve had only one response so far, and would appreciate hearing from others.
Barry Connell
Nocturne (formerly Marnita G)
Newburyport, MA
Barry:
In reply to your request, here is the anchoring set-up for our N36.
We have a Maxwell RC8 electric windlass with two bow anchor rollers for our two anchors. Our primary anchor is a 44 lb. Bruce, and our lead anchor is a 9 lb. Rocna Vulcan. The lead anchor is connected in tandem to the primary anchor by 4’9” of chain. The primary anchor is connected to the boat by 100’ feet of chain spliced to 150’ of 5/8” 3-strand nylon rode. All chain is 5/16” Acco High Test (G4). Additionally, we deploy a 30 lb. anchor sentinel after the anchors are set.
If you would like any other information, please let me know.
Richard Fried
Melita NS36 02
Marblehead, MA
On C.A.T. our Nonsuch 30C on which we are commuter cruising, we just replaced the ground tackle before setting off last year.
We have a 45lb CQR, 200’ (60m) 5/16" (8mm) G43 chain spliced to 40’ (12m) of 9/16" (14mm) 3-braid polyester all through a Maxwell RC Series RC8-8 Vertical Windlass.
We are very satisfied with the outcome, everything we read and every other cruiser we have spoken to strongly prefer chain over rode if you can afford it. The extra rode on ours is just there to provide a little more scope, a very visual indication that you are running out the chain and a simpler line to cut in case of an emergency release situation.
In your configuration, I might go up a size in the Windlass to an RC10 but 5/8" chain is a lot bigger than you need and weighs nearly 400lbs for 100’ v 120lbs for 5/16".
Remember the breaking strain of the chain has little relationship to the displacement of your boat. Its the total weight of the submerged ground tackle that needs to be sized to ‘hold’ your boat in place under a set of wind/current conditions. For a typical 36’ boat that wouldn’t require more than 3/8" chain to be conservative.
Jim. C.A.T. NS30C lying San Carlos, SON, MX.
Barry,
I can’t give you information on what owners of the 36 are using.
The Lewmar information indicates that the chain size for the V3 is 3/8” and rope is 5/8”. You will want to check that the windlass and gypsy you choose will handle the chain and rope rode you want to use.
Mantus has good information on recommended size for chain and rope.
https://www.mantusmarine.com/mantus-anchor-knowledgebase/rode-sizing/
Length depends on the depths you expect to anchor in. On the west coast the anchorages tend to be deeper and do not have a great deal of swing room so the norm is three to one scope when anchoring. It is my understanding that in other area 5 or 7 to one are more common for scope.
La Reina is only 26’ so I was concerned about weight in the bow. I have 50 feet of 5/16” chain and 300 feet of 5/8” nylon three strand rope. Size length and grade of chain will have an impact on weight in the bow.
Around here I generally have 90 to 120 feet of rode out which means I never need to put a snubber on. My brother has 100 feet of chain and then rope. He finds he often has to rig a snubber. La Reina swings more than boats on all chain so when I anchor I need to look to see what those around are sitting on.
Hope that provides you with some things to ponder.
Mark Powers
La Reina 26C
Vancouver, B.C.
Barry, I own a Nonsuch 36 #41, Caper. I have a Lewmar V3 with 200’ of 3/8" chain and 100’ of 5/8 nylon. My bower is a 44 lb. spade, excellent anchor, sets quickly and resets reliably, fits our bow pulpit well without any modification. My back up, also on the bow, is a 37 lb danforth on 100’ of 3/8’ chain and 200’ of 5/8" nylon, this is hung from the bow pulpit so as not to interfere with my primary, the chain is lead through the double bow roller so that it can be dropped quickly if needed. I do not use any swivels on my rodes. This has worked very well for me in all situations I’ve encountered here in the northeast so far, very happy with this setup. I have not found the weight in the bow to be any factor, I sleep well at night.
Steve Currier
Nonsuch 36 #41
Caper
New London, Ct.