[C320-list] Anchor Rode and Filter Wrench

[John Brennan]

Hi Michael:

Half-inch nylon anchor line is fine for the 320, although it wouldn’t hurt to go a little larger. Not too large, though, because you want the line to stretch a bit for its shock-absorbing qualities. Too large of an anchor line is like being anchored on all chain.

I use 30 feet of chain, largely because I’m in Florida, where anchoring in 6-7 feet of water is not uncommon. I only need to put out 60 feet to get scope (maybe a little less in a crowded anchorage) so  the shorter chain allows me to have some line out for stretch.

Thirty to 50 feet of chain is enough of help the anchor set well. You would want more in, say, the Bahamas, where there are many coral heads. You definitely don’t want to do what powerboaters do and have six feet of coated chain and a Danforth anchor. That’s a recipe for dragging.

On my old Yanmar 2gm20, I could remove the lid on the secondary filter with my hand or a channel lock pliers if it got a little tight. It’s tucked in rather tight on the 320, though, so it’s hard to get purchase. I don’t remember how I got it off.

For the record, in the 10 years I’ve owned Yanmars, I’ve never seen one of those little filters dirty even in the slightest. I now change it about every three or four times I change the Racor.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl
Dolphin Cruising Club of Florida.







Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Michael Leschisin
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2018 12:14 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Anchor Rode and Filter Wrench



- A couple quick questions for discussion on a wintery day……

What are y’all using for anchor rode?
  
The standard 250 feet of 1/2 inch three strand nylon (with 50’ of chain up front) that came with the boat is what I have onboard now, but my boat turns 15 years old this summer, so I’m thinking its time for replacement.  (I’m guessing the previous owner never replaced)   Half inch seems pretty skinny to me, but it is what Catalina supplied with the boat……  I'm thinking of upgrading to 5/8 but wondering if this is overkill.  Any opinions?

- Secondly, has anyone found a good tool for unscrewing the inline Yanmar fuel filter housing? (The filter thats attached to the engine block, not the Raycor).  

I’m thinking of picking up a 2 1/2 inch spanner wrench but it looks like it might be tough to navigate around the fuel line when using it; looking for any ideas on what works best here.  I used the “tap screwdriver with light hammer” method this fall when winterizing but I’m not too crazy about marring up the filter housing collar over time.



Thanks for the help!

Merry Christmas everyone!



Michael Leschisin
#995, Wild Blue Yonder
Menominee, MI