545/548 - Anchor and Chain on 548

Anchor and Chain on 548

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 545/548
Forum Description: 545/548 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14539
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 23:50
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Topic: Anchor and Chain on 548

Posted By: Hdajani
Subject: Anchor and Chain on 548
Date Posted: 27 March 2024 at 10:12

Hi All,

My 548 has a 10mm chain. When looking on the web, it seems to be below specification for a boat of this size. 12mm is recommended. I am not sure if Hanse fits a G70 or G40 Chain as it doesn't show anywhere. Did anyone come across this?

On the boaton Hanse website, it seems that they also have the DIN766 10mm as the standard for this boat and from the prices, one can tell that it is not G70, otherwise, it will be more expensive.

My anchor is a 30kg, which also seems to be below the recommended weight of 35-40kg.

The original Quick windlass is a DP3 1512D, which is only suitable for 10mm and is recommended for boats up to 14m, which is 2.22m less than the length of the 548.

Any ideas or recommendations? Where did I go wrong? I don't think Hanse will install something as critical as the chain and windlass that are under specifications. It will be a big exposure for them.

Many thanks,

Sam

Replies:

Posted By: Ratbasher
Date Posted: 27 March 2024 at 13:17

Hi Sam

Quick answer: if it was my boat I'd go for a 37kg Spade or similar new generation. I'd be happy with 10mm chain provided it was genuinely high-tensile and definitely not G30/BBB. I'd check that the cleat backing plates could handle the loads and that I had a decent snubber.

Longer answer: I had exactly the same sort of concerns as you soon after I bought my H400 so I researched the likely forces that the anchoring system would have to deal with. The ABYC tables are pessimistic against other standards but they're not a bad guide if you want to take more account of other variables such as yaw, surge etc. I worked out the worst conditions I was ever likely to anchor in and sized the elements in the system accordingly. Although I've put the link out on this forum before, it might be useful to repeat it: http://alain.fraysse.free.fr/sail/rode/forces/forces.htm" rel="nofollow - Forces (free.fr)

Don't ever believe that Hanse made any great calculations when they spec'd your boat; what they provided for the H400 (15kg Delta and basic chain) would barely have been enough for flat water in a F4. "Anchor? - yeah - its got one".

10mm G43 chain has a SWL of 1800kg, MBL of 7200kg and weighs 2.3kg/m. The winch manual should tell you if its capable of hauling the combined weight of the rode. You could go to 12mm but that'll increase the weight by .5kg/m which will affect performance, even on a ship the size of yours. You'll also have to swap over the gypsy though that should be easy. 10mm G70 has similar SWL/MBLs to 12mm G40, costing you a lot more money but saving a lot of weight right where it hurts. Only you can decide on the priorities, which is where Fraysse's calculations are useful to help you make an informed judgement.

Hope this is helpful!

Iain

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H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard' Gosport, UK

Posted By: Hdajani
Date Posted: 27 March 2024 at 18:01

This is very helpful. Many thanks for your guidance. This is exactly what I wanted to know. I don't like to 12mm weight and change of windlass. It is a much bigger job.

I am able to get G40 (meggi) here in Spain, but don't know a source for the G43. The G40 is 6500kg. I will be checking the calculations and the link. So, preferred option is G40, which is the most cost effective or the G70 as last resort, however, a number of people are reporting gypsy issues with it due to size differences.

Posted By: Ratbasher
Date Posted: 28 March 2024 at 06:45

Hi Sam - glad to be of help. There's not much difference between G43 or G40; the latter records a slightly lower SWL/MBL but I doubt there'd be much difference in actual practice. You might find https://jimmygreen.com/744-calibrated-anchor-chain" rel="nofollow - Calibrated Anchor Chain | Galvanised Chain | Jimmy Green Marine of interest. They ship worldwide from their base in the delightfully-named village of Beer, south coast UK; its an interesting anchorage too if you're ever in that part of the world. They're knowledgeable and very happy to discuss compatibilities between components such as G70 and windlasses; you're quite right to suspect gypsy issues with some makes of G70.

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H400 (2008) 'Wight Leopard' Gosport, UK