What anchor size and chain length suit an Arcona 400?
I'm checking the anchoring gear on my Arcona 400 before doing more overnight cruising. Would a 20 kg anchor and 60 m of 8 mm chain be suitable, or should I carry heavier chain and a longer length for Mediterranean trips?
Answer
For an Arcona 400, a 20 kg modern steel anchor with 60 m of 8 mm calibrated, galvanised chain is a sensible starting point for coastal cruising, provided the chain grade and windlass are suitable. Consider 80 m for deeper Mediterranean anchorages, and check the bow roller, windlass gypsy and chain locker before ordering.
Check the existing installation
The Arcona 400 is a performance cruising yacht, so unnecessary weight in the bow matters. Equipment varies with build year and later owner modifications; an anchor fitted to one boat does not establish the factory specification for every example.
Check these fittings before choosing your equipment:
- Windlass gypsy: identify its chain size and calibration from the markings or manual. Nominally 8 mm chains are not automatically interchangeable; link dimensions must match.
- Bow roller: measure clearance for the anchor shank, roll bar and fluke, including the distance to the stem and furling gear.
- Chain locker: check that the chain falls freely below the windlass without piling up against the underside of the gypsy.
- Attachments: inspect the roller mounting, windlass backing, cleats and their supporting structure for movement, cracking or corrosion.
Isolate the windlass power before putting fingers near the gypsy or working inside the chain locker.
Choose the main anchor
A 20 kg modern scoop or concave anchor, such as a Rocna 20 or 20 kg steel Spade, is a practical main anchor for an Arcona 400 used for overnight cruising. Check the manufacturer's sizing against your loaded displacement and intended conditions. The boat's 40-foot length alone is not enough to choose by.
For frequent exposed anchoring, extended liveaboard use or a heavily loaded boat, consider the next size up, commonly around 25 kg. The extra margin helps only if the anchor fits the roller properly and the handling equipment can manage it.
Trial-fit the anchor or use the manufacturer's full-size template before buying. A roll-bar anchor can foul the pulpit or furling equipment. A different shank profile may prevent an otherwise suitable anchor from sitting securely.
Sand and firm mud usually favour these designs. Weed, rock and very soft mud demand more care with anchor type and placement; extra kilograms will not make a poorly buried anchor dependable. Carry a second anchor with its own usable rode.