What anchor size and chain length are suitable for a Hallberg-Rassy 39?
I want to upgrade the anchoring gear on my Hallberg-Rassy 39 before spending more nights away from marinas. Would a 25 kg anchor and 60 m of 10 mm chain be suitable, and should I carry more chain for Mediterranean cruising?
Answer
A 25 kg modern anchor with 60 m of calibrated 10 mm galvanised chain is a sound cruising setup for a Hallberg-Rassy 39, provided it fits the bow roller and suits the windlass. For mainly shallow Scandinavian anchorages, 40 to 50 m can work; for Mediterranean cruising or regular anchoring in deeper water, consider 80 m after checking locker capacity and the extra bow weight.
Check the windlass and roller
Before ordering, identify the windlass model and the chain specification stamped on its gypsy, the pocketed wheel that handles the chain. HR 39 equipment varies with build year and changes made by owners, so check the installation aboard rather than assume a factory specification.
Nominal diameter alone does not establish compatibility. Calibrated 10 mm DIN 766 and 10 mm ISO 4565 chain have different link dimensions. Buy the exact specification your gypsy requires, and run a sample through it if in doubt.
- Check the windlass manual for permitted chain size and working load.
- Inspect the roller, spindle, mounting bolts and deck beneath for wear, movement or cracking.
- Measure anchor clearance past the stem, pulpit and any furling or bowsprit fittings.
- Check that the locker has enough vertical drop for chain to fall away without piling up beneath the windlass.
Keep hands and feet clear of the gypsy. Isolate the windlass electrically before clearing a jam or handling its mechanism.
Choose a 25 kg anchor
The HR 39 is roughly a ten-tonne yacht before cruising stores and additional equipment. For regular overnight anchoring, I would choose a 25 kg steel anchor of a proven modern design. The smallest size on a manufacturer's boat-length chart need not be the target.
A Rocna Original 25 kg or Spade S100, nominally 25 kg, are two examples to check against the available space. Other designs have different size steps and sizing guidance. Compare the actual models: anchors of the same weight do not necessarily perform alike.
A 20 kg modern anchor can suit sheltered coastal use, but 25 kg gives a heavily laden cruising boat more margin. For more demanding cruising, 30 to 33 kg may make sense if the roller, handling arrangements and windlass can accommodate it. Weight helps, but anchor shape, seabed and proper setting remain decisive.
Make a cardboard profile or arrange a trial fit before buying. A roll bar or broad fluke can foul the bow even when the shank sits neatly on the roller.