Anchor Chain confusion

[mwybo]

Hi,
I need some help understanding anchor chain. I have not found answers in other threads so if they exist please point me there.

I am looking to purchase 5/16 HT. Here are my questions:

1. What is the difference between Schedule 40, 43, and 70 and is this difference important ?

2. What is the real weight per foot for 5/16 HT ? I have seen anything between 0.83 ponds to 1.2 pounds. Everyone does seem to agree that the SWL is 3,900 pounds.

3. Finally, I will use a chain hook on 3 strand nylon as a snubber. Is the proper length for this snubber to always keep the hook above the water ?

Thanks

[Thorne]

You might find a few answers online -

http://www.setsail.com/c_central/faqs/faq_anchor.html#snub

http://www.imtra.com/pages/buy_windlass.htm

Some of our answers may depend on what you are anchoring, where, and in what conditions? Windlass type, drum size, etc? Length of chain and anchor type may also be factors...

[PeterSibley]

The best treatment of the various chain specification I have read is in the Pardey's "The Capable Cruiser ", it specific to US chain ,not metric .

[Gold Rock]

Hey there mwybo. I covered this topic a while ago in another thread. Go to search = advanced search = search by user name (Gold Rock), and somewhere down around Feb, '06 you'll see a thread titled "anchor chain quality". Check that one out, I think it'll answer most of your questions. Ciao.

[mwybo]

Gold Rock, thanks, that was a great thread. It should be part of the FAQ if it is not already.

Thanks Again.

[Canoeyawl]

Previous anchor chain thread... (http://www.woodenboatvb.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=19757)