What anchor size and chain length suit a Hallberg-Rassy 40?
I have just bought a 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 40 and it still has the original 20kg Delta anchor with about 40m of rusty chain. We are planning to cruise the Med next season and I want to upgrade the ground tackle. What anchor weight and chain size or length do you recommend for this boat?
Answer
For a Hallberg-Rassy 40, a 25kg new-generation anchor paired with 80 metres of 8mm Grade 40 galvanised chain is the ideal primary ground tackle. The factory often supplied a 20kg Delta, but upgrading to a 25kg modern design provides reliable holding power for this 10-tonne displacement yacht when the wind pipes up.
Anchor Size and Style
The HR 40 is a heavy displacement cruiser. Unladen she sits at 10 tonnes, but fully loaded for a season with water, fuel and cruising gear she easily displaces 12.5 tonnes. Add the windage of the signature hard windscreen and sprayhood, and loads on your ground tackle increase quickly.
The standard 20kg Lewmar Delta works for lunch stops. For peace of mind overnight, a 25kg (55lb) anchor is the gold standard. Modern concave scoop designs set faster and hold more tension than convex ploughs. Consider these specific options for the HR 40 bow roller:
- Rocna 25kg: The most popular upgrade costs around £650. The roll bar usually clears the Furlex drum on the HR 40 double bow roller. Check the clearance before dropping the retaining pin in.
- Spade S120 (25kg): Priced around £800. It features a lead-filled tip and lacks a roll bar. This guarantees a perfect fit on the bow roller without snagging the furler line or drum.
- Ultra Marine 27kg: This premium stainless steel choice costs roughly £1,600 and matches the yacht's finish. It self-rights beautifully on the roller.
Fitting a larger anchor often requires a longer retaining pin for the bow roller. Ditch cheap stainless swivels. Connect the anchor to the chain using a forged galvanised D-shackle, such as a Crosby or Green Pin, seized with monel wire.
Chain Specs and Locker Capacity
Owners choose between 8mm and 10mm chain. For the HR 40, 8mm Grade 40 (often labelled G43 or High Test) is the superior choice. An 8mm Grade 40 chain has a breaking load of 4,300kg. This sits well above the maximum working load your boat will generate in a gale.
The main advantage of 8mm over 10mm is weight. 80 metres of 8mm chain weighs 115kg, while the equivalent length of 10mm chain weighs 180kg. Putting that extra 65kg right in the bow noticeably increases pitching when sailing to windward. The HR 40 chain locker is deep and drains well. It easily swallows 80 metres of 8mm chain without the pile tumbling over and jamming the hawsepipe.