How to Select the Right Anchor Chains
When you invest in a boat, you are normally excited the day you receive it. You can be so excited, you forget about the anchoring system. You need this if you are to dock safely, or go out to the waters. You need an appropriate anchor line for the kind of anchor you shall get. There are many kinds of boat anchor lines or chains in the market, each serving a specific purpose. Some are suited for large boats, while others are good for small boats. Then there are the heavy-duty ones that are used for ships. It is important that you choose the right one for your boat.
You need to first think of the size of your boat in this purchase. A small boat will rely on a smaller anchor. It follows that the chain attaching it will also be relatively smaller in size and weight. There are situations where it is best to have more than one anchoring system.
The weight of a boat also matters. You need to ensure that the weight of the anchoring system is proportional to that of the boat being anchored. The weight compounds when you are adding that of the chain. Therefore, when contemplating upon the appropriate size, you need to factor in the weight of the anchoring system.
You can also go for more anchoring systems, which will be smaller than when it is the one. They will still offer the same benefits that you would have gotten from a large anchor that had a heavy chain attracting it to the boat. There are also other benefits one gets to enjoy on the side. You get to keep the proper weight of the boat. You will not have such a large swing circle for the boat. The boat will thus not have either of its ends swinging about when it docks.
You also need to think of the nature of water you shall be sailing in. These chains are made of metal, some of which react faster to salt water than to fresh waters. You therefore need to choose as per the regions you will be sailing in the most. Stainless steel as metal corrodes easily when in salt water. If you are also moving about in shallow waters, you do not need to buy such long chains.
You need to also look at how strong the metal is. Those anchoring in deeper waters need strong chains. This is because the undercurrents can get so strong as to snap a weaker chain. You cannot forget the weight of the anchor. The heavier the anchor, the stronger the chin should be.