< The 4:1 all-chain recommendation seems way too short to me. > I routinely anchor in 65 - 85 feet and use 180 - 200' of chain. Anchoring at Bitter End in North Sound, Virgin Gorda, BVI, is 65' - 70' and I have sat happily in close quarters in twenty plus knots on 180' of chain. I have 400' on my primary anchor, 66 lb. Chinese Bruce type, and could put out a lot more, but have never found I had to. I often have to use 120' - 150' in 30' of water to hold so am a believer in the theory that with all chain you need less scope as the depth increases. I remember reading an article stating that in some publication but can't remember which one or when. Bob Phillips, Another Asylum, Tortola, BVI