In a blow, you will have very little chain on the bottom. The cantary theory goes all to heck with really heavy winds. The chain can be bar tight and virtually straight. You always need to always use a shock aborber between the chain and a strong point on the boat--not a windless. Certainly there are times when it is prudent to set the hook well with substantial scope (7:1) etc and then shorten up, after the anchor is well burried because of crowed anchorages. I have had to anchor is up to 90 knots--believe me I had as much scope out as I had! Bob Austin Penacola, FL Symbol 42