[Rhodes22-list] Anchor Chain Question

[William E. Wickman]

I just got my nifty Fortress FX7 anchor.  The instructions that came with
the anchor said to use a short length of anchor chain (6 feet of chain if
anchoring in 25' of water or less, and add another 6 feet of chain for each
additional 25' of depth).  Their claim is that chain anchor rodes lack the
shock absorbancy of nylon rope when the wind increases.  This advice runs
contrary to what I have been reading in the Rhodes FAQ that most of you are
using around 20 feet of chain.  So, does the Fortress require less chain
because it is so light?  What gives?  I presume that these anchor guys know
what they are talking about, but...

Also, since I have 20 feet of chain that I use with my gbi anchor, what are
the dynamics of using shorter chain on a second anchor when setting two
anchors?  Does it really matter?

B. Wickman