So believe it or not this past weekend was the first time I've dropped the hook on my new boat. I noticed there is only 10' of chain and the rest of the rode is rope. I'd prefer a longer chain to ease the anchoring process.

After some research it looks like my Maxwell 500RC windlass uses 1/4" chain and 1/2' rope. The current rode has the rope spliced onto the last link of chain. How hard of a job is it to remove the existing chain and splice a longer section on?

Would moving from 10' to say 30' chain make any difference in normal conditions with my 30' boat?

Got room in your anchor locker?

Was it a factory package? They are hard to extend the chain.

You could get the weight benifit of a 20' - 35' chain by pre-filling a empty Clorx bottle with cement using a eye hook in the cement to make a tie-on point.

Pay out the chain till near its end, but before the line, attach the cememt clorx (sp) to the chain at a point past any restrictions. Its weight will drag down the anchor rode about the same as extra chain would.

Most anchors hold best when their angle to the sea floor is narrow.

I've done the same with a 10# mushroom. Makes a tremendous difference in holding power.

Extending the chain would be a matter of removing the shackle from the anchor end, cutting the last link open with a hack saw, spread it enough to get the new chain in it, and bend it back, and then welded. You'd have to get it all off the boat tho.

Or, buy a new chain and learn how to splice rope.

Did the anchor not take a set well, or is this a comfort-level thing?

Both good questions...

1. Not sure about locker room, but with a 160' rode I'd imagine there should be room

2. Yes it was factory.

.

I thought of your idea, but I don't have a welder. It probably would be a lot easier then splitting new chain onto the rope.

That's why I said you'd have to take it all off the boat- to get it welded.

It's probably not designed for just any 1/4" chain. It probably calls for 1/4" G40 or HT chain, just an FYI.

You need to buy a 30' length of new chain and then make a rope/chain splice to it. There is no other way to this right. Fortunately, it's not hard to do and you'll learn a great skill.

See: http://www.animatedknots.com/chainspliceboating/index.php?LogoImage=&Website=

eBay often has great deals on pre-spliced rodes that may be so reasonably priced that it will not make economic sense to buy new chain and make the splice yourself. I got one with 15' of ACCO G40 HT chain and 250' of 1/2" nylon rode for less than the list price of 30' of ACCO G40 HT chain. 15' of chain has proven plenty for my boat and my 22lb Delta. I never worry about my anchor dragging.

Use as an overnight hook or storm hook?

Would you say your windage is about half of a Four Winns 298?

Thanks for the good advice so far. This is the factory installed Windlass on my boat, RC500.

http://www.maxwellmarine.com/gen_freedom.php?sub=dimensions

I'm not too concerned with dragging but on my last boat(25' Crownline) I installed 30' of chain and it was a lot easier to set.

Part of the reason for this project is just that, I want another boat project.

Both overnight and as a storm anchor. I've hunkered down for a couple of serious storms on Sebago Lake with this anchor/rode combo and had no issues at all. I sleep well overnight knowing it's there.

My boat is a lot smaller than a FW298. My anchor, however, is very much oversized for my boat, and could very well be the same size as the OEM anchor on the FW298. It looks the same in photos.

More chain IS better, but perhaps one would pass the point of diminishing returns going with 3X more than Four Winns thinks is necessary. I have 4 seasons of experience successfully using 50% more chain than Four Winns uses, on likely the same anchor, and frankly, I'm convinced it's overkill for my boat.

I would think that Four Winns sources a "package" from a supplier on their rope, chain, and anchor that is a fair fit for several of their boat models and for most cruising grounds that they sell boats into. Keeps the parts room simpiler and the SKU count down.

Again, personally, I would hang a weight first before making a project out of going with more chain on a factory se-up, but that's me.