What anchor size and chain length are suitable for a Rasmus 35?
My Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus 35 has an older anchor and about 25 metres of chain, and I mainly cruise Denmark and the Swedish west coast. What anchor weight and chain size should I choose, and is it worth carrying more chain?
Answer
For a Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus 35, a modern anchor of 20 to 25 kg with 45 to 50 metres of certified 8 mm anchor chain suits shallow Danish and Swedish coastal anchorages. For deeper cruising grounds or longer stays in exposed anchorages, consider 60 to 80 metres, with chain strength and link dimensions matched to the windlass.
Check windlass and roller fit
Before ordering, identify the windlass model and the chain specification stamped on its gypsy, the wheel that grips the links. Diameter alone does not establish compatibility. Different 8 mm chains have different link dimensions, and a poor match can jump or jam under load.
The Rasmus 35 is roughly 10.5 metres long, with a published displacement of around seven tonnes. Cruising stores and equipment add weight. Size the ground tackle for the loaded boat and expected conditions, rather than treating every 35-footer alike.
- Check the gypsy marking and confirm the required chain standard with the windlass maker.
- Inspect the bow roller, securing pin, stemhead clearance and anchor locker drainage.
- Check windlass mounting bolts and the supporting deck for movement, corrosion or water damage.
- Confirm that the proposed anchor stows securely without striking the hull or fouling the forestay.
Keep hands and feet clear of the chain and gypsy. Isolate the windlass before checking chain fit or clearing a jam.
Choose a generous main anchor
A 20 kg modern anchor is a practical starting point. A 25 kg anchor adds margin for frequent overnight anchoring and more demanding cruising, provided the roller and windlass can handle it. Check the physical fit of models such as the original Rocna 20 or 25 kg and the SARCA Excel No. 5 at 22 kg.
A 22 kg Excel with 75 metres of 8 mm chain has been used on the similar-sized Hallberg-Rassy 352. That supports this scale of equipment, though it does not establish that the same anchor will fit a Rasmus bow roller.
Experienced long-distance sailors often choose anchors substantially above the manufacturer's minimum recommendation, sometimes double it. This supports generous sizing, but is no universal formula. Anchor design, seabed and the manufacturer's stated wind assumptions still matter. A heavier anchor cannot compensate for poor setting technique or unsuitable ground.
Choose certified chain and connections
Certified 8 mm Grade 40 calibrated chain is a reasonable choice for this boat, subject to its published working load and windlass compatibility. Sound 10 mm chain is also worth retaining if the existing installation suits it, but changing diameter usually means changing the gypsy.