ANCHORING WITH ALL CHAIN
Anchoring with all chain requires less scope. Scope refers to the ratio of water depth and the height of your anchor roller to amount of anchor rode required. Line requires a scope of 7:1 while all chain requires 3:1, or roughly half as much. Following the above ratio if you are anchored in 15 feet of water and your anchor roller is 5 feet above the water you need 140 feet of line, or 60 feet of chain. Less than half as much!
All anchors will provide better holding power with all chain.
All chain eliminates the chance of chafing from coral, rocks, or anything else hidden on the sea bottom.
All chain virtually assures that no one will run over your anchor rode and get it caught on their propeller or rudder.
Windlasses function better with all chain. Chain tends to be much more self tailing with a windlass than line. When bringing in the anchor the chain self stores more easily as it has weight to it and will flow into the chain locker storing itself with less jamming than line.
Weight in the bow may be a concern. But remember you need about half as much chain as you would line. The following are weights for 100 feet of chain: 1/4” 70 lbs, 5/16” 110 lbs, 3/8” 155 lbs. 150 feet of 5/16” chain weighs 165 lbs, the weight of an average man.
Shock absorption can also be a concern with all chain. Under most conditions the weight of the chain will cause a sag in the chain offering gentle shock absorption. When conditions are such that the chain is pulled straight back and there is no shock absorption a snubber can be added.