Should I Buy a Beneteau Oceanis 38.1?

[Rude Dog]

Interesting. Did not realize the threat to bow thruster posed by debris on an anchor chain.

Not a factor since I did not purchase the bow thruster anyway.

Speaking of anchor chain, I have a question about suitable length of chain. I've always applied the traditional formula (length of chain approximately the LOA of the boat), however I see most cruisers seem to go with considerably more chain.

My current thinking is to use the "standard" length (so about 40-45 feet) as my normal "go to" and then keep another hundred feet of chain in reserve, using it for rocky bottoms or anchoring in deeper water. And have about 250-300 feet of rhode.

Any thoughts/suggestions on this topic?

 

[steele]

100' of 3/8 chain is about 140 lbs. Too heavy to carry so you will need to keep it in the anchor locker, alot of weight up forward in a boat with a modern hull shape, especially when added to your standard rode. Joining it to the chain you have might be difficult since I am not aware of a re-useable link that will pass through a windlass. You could pile the chain on deck and shackle it to the regular section of chain after the gypsy, but that seems a bit convoluted so you will probably use the chain lenghts independantly (ie 45 or 100', not both joined). All told it might be best to compromise with a 60' of chain on your primary rode and call it good.

BTW as you can probably tell I have been wrestling with the same issues since I would like to have more chain to reduce my boats "sailing" at anchor. If you figure out a way to make it work please share.

 

[Elegua]

For a 38’ boat 5/16th G4 might be a lighter option. I have found so far, 100’ chain on 300’ of mixed rode works well. It’s nice to not have to use snubber. Sadly the weight ended up back in the anchor with a 66lb spade.

 

[slug zitski]

Interesting. Did not realize the threat to bow thruster posed by debris on an anchor chain.

Not a factor since I did not purchase the bow thruster anyway.

Speaking of anchor chain, I have a question about suitable length of chain. I've always applied the traditional formula (length of chain approximately the LOA of the boat), however I see most cruisers seem to go with considerably more chain.

My current thinking is to use the "standard" length (so about 40-45 feet) as my normal "go to" and then keep another hundred feet of chain in reserve, using it for rocky bottoms or anchoring in deeper water. And have about 250-300 feet of rhode.

Any thoughts/suggestions on this topic?

The answer is 5 to 1 scope …

you must decide the anchoring depth , your region of operation

50 meters is the absolute minimum for most regions


G7 sometimes called G 70. high tensile chain ..1/4 , 6mm is perfectly suitable for a racer cruiser your size .
The problem with the high strength chain is price and finding the correct high strength shackles

aside the bow thruster ..good seamanship has you retrieve the chain and once it’s free of the bottom , you put the engine in reverse and drag the anchor and chain in front of the boat to clean it ..this keeps any junk on the chain , anchor from getting under the boat and fouling sea strainers, props, rudders

Grade 7 and 70 Chain — Rigging Doctor

Grade 7 and Grade 70 chain are the eventual evolution of Grade 4, 40, and 43 chain. The chain is subjected to a more profound heat treatment which produces a very strong and yet very light chain link. The links of the chain are formed from low carbon steel wire, and the size of the link is actually

www.riggingdoctor.com

 

[Bryanjb]

Using a bow thruster when retrieving your anchor should be avoided

your anchor chain picks up grass, plastic bags and most significantly …mono filament fishing line

this debris rising with the chain with eat out the bow thruster seals instantly

Vetus/Maxwell incorporate bow thruster controls into their windlass pendant. They seem to be ok with running the bow thruster when retrieving the anchor. We‘ve sucked garbage into the bow thruster but never when retrieving the anchor

 

[slug zitski]

Avoid thrustering when retrieving the anchor

too much junk gets caught on the chain and anchor ..it will ruin your day

 

[Bryanjb]

Looks like a lot of junk in the water. We haven’t had any problems with it in twenty years.

 

[Rude Dog]

100' of 3/8 chain is about 140 lbs. Too heavy to carry so you will need to keep it in the anchor locker, alot of weight up forward in a boat with a modern hull shape, especially when added to your standard rode. Joining it to the chain you have might be difficult since I am not aware of a re-useable link that will pass through a windlass. You could pile the chain on deck and shackle it to the regular section of chain after the gypsy, but that seems a bit convoluted so you will probably use the chain lenghts independantly (ie 45 or 100', not both joined). All told it might be best to compromise with a 60' of chain on your primary rode and call it good.

BTW as you can probably tell I have been wrestling with the same issues since I would like to have more chain to reduce my boats "sailing" at anchor. If you figure out a way to make it work please share.

Great input- thanks. Wilco on reporting how we solve it.

 

[Rude Dog]

Thanks for the pointers, Slug. Most helpful. I am OK with getting the pricier high-tensile chain, as it should be a one time-only purchase. I'm a big believer in the adage "You get what you pay for."

And the lighter weight of 6mm chain is far more appealing than having 3/8"- especially when it has to live at the pointy end of the boat.

 

[steele]

To be clear my example of using 3/8 chain was just a guess based on the size of your boat. You should rely on your own experience and others who are smarter than I.

 

[slug zitski]

Thanks for the pointers, Slug. Most helpful. I am OK with getting the pricier high-tensile chain, as it should be a one time-only purchase. I'm a big believer in the adage "You get what you pay for."

And the lighter weight of 6mm chain is far more appealing than having 3/8"- especially when it has to live at the pointy end of the boat.

Stacks better..and you can carry a long length without penalty

the shackle needed is not common in marine stores ..order an extra

 

[longy]

Also - make sure your windlass gypsy is the correct model for the chain you have. Different chain makes have different link sizes.

 

[LiquidSun]

I you haven't seen SV Panope's extensive series of anchor testing videos it worth a look while you are choosing your gear and modding the stock boats setup.

 

[Jim in Halifax]

If cost is no object, go with stainless steel chain. No rust stains in your chain locker and, as SV Panope's latest YouTube video shows, it stacks much better. Really worth browsing a few of Steve's videos if you are shopping anchoring gear. Tip him a few PayPal bucks if you like what you see...(he does it all as a public service).

 

[Rude Dog]

Many thanks to all for the helpful comments and advice! I will watch these videos for sure.

I will research the cost of stainless chain vs. galvanized. I can sure see the advantages of stainless but cost is going to be a factor, I think.

Meanwhile, we're still up in the air as to the best east coast location to do the commissioning.

Have primarily been eyeballing Charleston, thanks to low state sales tax on boats, (presumably) more competitive labor costs, and the fact that my dealer has worked successfully with a local yard and Beneteau dealer on a few previous boats.

Beneteau will ship the boat at no additional cost to either New York, Baltimore or Norfolk. The cost to truck the boat from Norfolk to Charleston is unknown, but we think between $3,500-$5,000.

Would love to to get input on what others think would be best.

I anticipate the boat will be on the hard for 2-3 weeks, then I'll need another 3-4 weeks to shakedown the beast, and start organizing and loading for cruising. Is that realistic? That takes us into mid-June. I'm thinking a nice offshore shakedown sail straight up to Maine would be cool, then slowly work our way down the east coast all summer, fall in the Chesapeake, then on down to the Carolinas and Florida, and perhaps the Bahamas, for the winter of '23.

How would others plan their first 6 months, given these starting point options? For me, these will all be unfamiliar waters......

 

[slug zitski]

Many thanks to all for the helpful comments and advice! I will watch these videos for sure.

I will research the cost of stainless chain vs. galvanized. I can sure see the advantages of stainless but cost is going to be a factor, I think.

Meanwhile, we're still up in the air as to the best east coast location to do the commissioning.

Have primarily been eyeballing Charleston, thanks to low state sales tax on boats, (presumably) more competitive labor costs, and the fact that my dealer has worked successfully with a local yard and Beneteau dealer on a few previous boats.

Beneteau will ship the boat at no additional cost to either New York, Baltimore or Norfolk. The cost to truck the boat from Norfolk to Charleston is unknown, but we think between $3,500-$5,000.

Would love to to get input on what others think would be best.

I anticipate the boat will be on the hard for 2-3 weeks, then I'll need another 3-4 weeks to shakedown the beast, and start organizing and loading for cruising. Is that realistic? That takes us into mid-June. I'm thinking a nice offshore shakedown sail straight up to Maine would be cool, then slowly work our way down the east coast all summer, fall in the Chesapeake, then on down to the Carolinas and Florida, and perhaps the Bahamas, for the winter of '23.

How would others plan their first 6 months, given these starting point options? For me, these will all be unfamiliar waters......

Stainless chain is eye watering expensive

normally you only use stainless when you frequently anchor in soft sticky black mud bottoms
The mud falls off the smooth stainless..galvanized chain has a rather rough finish that holds the mud

 

[Bryanjb]

Well, you could put it in the water in Norfolk, step the spar, bend on a couple sails and sail it to Charleston. Stop in cape lookout and then onto Charleston, two 200 mile jumps. Then go to the marina of your choice, haul, do whatever with the Charleston dealer. Certainly it’ll be a lovely boat but it’s not that complicated.

 

[Rude Dog]

Stainless chain is eye watering expensive

normally you only use stainless when you frequently anchor in soft sticky black mud bottoms
The mud falls off the smooth stainless..galvanized chain has a rather rough finish that holds the mud

Hmmmm...on second thought....galvanized!

 

[Rude Dog]

Well, you could put it in the water in Norfolk, step the spar, bend on a couple sails and sail it to Charleston. Stop in cape lookout and then onto Charleston, two 200 mile jumps. Then go to the marina of your choice, haul, do whatever with the Charleston dealer. Certainly it’ll be a lovely boat but it’s not that complicated.

Not really wanting to be in Charleston as summer digs in- hot, sticky and the really, REALLY big bugs come out. Insurance companies like to see boats well north of this latitude anyway- not sure if that'll be a factor as well, but it's shaping my vision.

The general idea for the summer of '23 is to cruise the (new to me) waters of New England, Maine, etc.- maybe even all the way to Nova Scotia? Then back south as summer wanes, fall in the Chesapeake (Annapolis boat show), then on down to the Carolinas and Florida/Bahamas for the winter of '24.

I'm thinking a good shakedown cruise might be to jump into the Gulfstream and just sail nonstop from Charleston to Maine...

That's about as much "planning" as I intend to do- at least for now. It's OK for the future to be largely improvisational/seat-of-the-pants; itineraries are for people who have to be someplace by a certain time.

At this point, the only obligation I have on my plate in '24 is to attend (and pay for- yuck) my daughter's wedding in late October. Beyond that, no other plans.

Feeling sorry for me? Anyone?

 

[Scottish_Sailor]

Any update, was it delivered yet?