International Dufour Grand Large and Dufour Performance Forum

[Skipper01]

Hello,
we will get a new GL 325. Have anybody experience with the anchor size? We think about a Delta or CQR with 20 kg, this should be enough, right? Also we think about a 8 mm anchor chain, just 30 m long. Because if we take 50 m the weight just of the chain is 70 kg, this is a lot at the bow. Thanks for your comments.

Skipper

[paulcheck]

HI i have a 325 and the anchor and chain supplyed by dufour is fine i think its the same weight anchor and chain for the first models in the range so you have plenty i needed this weight in the bow as the boat was rideing high my 2nd anchor and chain is also stored under the forward v berth with full water and fuel tanks it sits just right on the water line
had trouble finding a second anchor that would ride up on the anchor roller as the bow is near vertical you have to be carefull dropping and lifting as not to damage the front
good luck with your new boat

[nicknack]

Hi, we had a new Dufour GL 325 in August 2008. It came from Dufour with a 16kg Delta anchor and legth of 10mm chain supplied as standard. Both anchor and chain are on the heavy side but hold very well. But, this makes a very heavy load to haul in when winds are strong without a windlass - which is why we have now ordered one! The windlass adds another 20kg to the bow, however. (By the way, the sinking in the anchor locker is made so that a 12v Quick Aries 700 vertical windlass without drum will fit exactly right.)

We also keep a lighweight Fortress anchor and 10m length of 6mm chain which we store in the aft lazarette (thumb turn panel access from aft cabin) , well wrapped in an old sail and well away from the wheel steering gear! This is not to overload the bow.

We can drop either of the anchors over the bow roller but fix a foam slab fender in front of the bow before recovering to prevent damage. The 4 corners of the slab fender can be tied ok to the front and rear pulpit supports on either side of the boat to keep it in position.

Nicknack

[paulcheck]

Hi i also have a Quick Aries windlass which works great would not have a boat with out one but the chain piles up on the forward facing back face of the anchor well which has to be pushed down by hand or with the boom handle am thinking of makeing a small roller or stainless bk to fit under the windlass to direct the chain more forward so to drop to the base of the well has any one solved this problom