My anchor chain is getting stuck in the well which stops it from deploying when dropping the anchor. Has anyone else had this issue on the 306 and if so what was the fix? I am thinking off putting foam into the bottom of the well to raise it. ![Male sign :male_sign: ♂️](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/6.0/png/unicode/64/2642.png)
![Male sign :male_sign: ♂️](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/6.0/png/unicode/64/2642.png)
The boat only had 12ft of chain which is totally inadequate so I added some. There is only about 150 ft rope so not much. The well slants aft which it is gathering into when under way and hence is trapping the chain.Usually the problem is too much anchor line in the anchor locker. Spread the line out in the locker and see if it works better. Verify you have the correct chain to match the windlass you have too.
Just replaced my 1/2" 8-plait 200' anchor rode with a new Lewmar rode. Old line was stiff and so tight it was not spliceable anymore. Took it out to reverse it and other end was worse - I must have reversed it before. Old one was about 250' but it was too much for my anchor locker. If I put most of it out I could retrieve most of it but it would stop feeding. I would have to go up on bow and shuffle the line around. Especially bad at the rope/chain splice. The windlass like have the line/chain dropping down into locker.Thought 1:
you added chain? Did you check that the added chain is the correct spec for your windlass? Did you keep the old chain and add more chain to it? If so how did you splice the new chain and rode to the old chain.
Thought 2;
As your line (not chain) ages it tends to get stiffer. The stiffer line does not lay flat as easily as more pliant line does. It tends to pile up and will reduce the downward pull from the windlass capstan/ That r3esults in line slip and capstan jamming. Adding foam to raise the bottom of the well will only make your problem worse. Stiff line often can be softened by rinsing it and soaking it over night in a pail/tub of warm water and fabric softener. If the line won't soften, it's time for new line and chain if you don't wan to deal with splicing