Anchor rode fray

jkidd

jkidd

Active member
I ran my anchor line out yesterday and notice a couple of spots where it is starting to wear. How much wear does everyone allow before they replace it? Would you even consider doing a splice?
 
Depending on where the wear is you may be able to just reverse the line so that the worn part is farther in than you normally use. That would mean doing an eye splice and thimble on one end and a rope to chain splice on the other end. There is a "long splice" intended to join lengths of line together. I have used it to extend the length of my anchor line from 200' to 300' with the splice so far in I rarely see it. Not sure just how much wear is ok. If I saw several strands worn through I'd replace the line, it is a lot cheaper than your boat.
 
My concern is that you are using a rope grip type of windlass. I suspect that the wear is due to the windlass. I have never done a long splice on a rode which is used on a rope grip gypsy, but I would be concerned that the long splice would not hold up.

I agree with end for end the line, and doing a new rope to chain splice. If it is a 150 foot line, and that place will still be under wear, then I would consider a new rode.
 
Jody, based on your description, I'd just replace the line. Use the left over to practice splicing, make dock lines, etc. and, if you intend to boat where you may be anchoring in 25-35' of water you may want to consider increasing the length to 200'.
 
It's 1/2" X 200 ' I suspect that it piled before it went through the deck and jammed and that is what caused it. According to the manufacture the C-Dory doesn't have quite enough distance between the deck and the anchor locker. so sometimes it can be a bit temperamental. So what are some of the better brands of line to buy?
 
Many people are going with 8-plait, for example, Yale Brait. I haven't used a windlass yet (getting up my nerve to drill that big hole), but I have 200' of 1/2" Brait, and I can say that their claims of it packing down better (smaller) in the locker are true (as compared to three-strand). That may give you more "fall" in future, for the same length rode. I was just reading the instructions for the Lewmar 700 horizontal and it calls for at least a 12" fall.

Along those lines, I was just thinking today that I could move the windlass aft a bit if I used a different foredeck cleat (I have one on hand that is 8" vs. 10" but is actually the same effective size as it is beefier/higher). That would put the rode a bit further aft/deeper... maybe that would be a good thing (but I was also thinking it might cause mud, etc. to spatter into the v-berth). Ironically, I had just decided to mount mine right about where you put yours..... :crook

I don't exactly know why, but I've lined up and re-lined up this windlass about 200 times! (Before drilling.)

Anyway, back to the Brait. I really like it. Does pack down small, doesn't seem prone to hockling, etc. About the only thing I think might be a negative is that it seems like it could be "pickery." But I'd think that if that were a problem it would be more on wooden docks or rough pilings, so not anchor rode type places.
 
You can buy cheaper lines. But I find the companies such as New England Ropes, Sampson and Yale are the quality nylon ropes. I have found that the cheaper lines tend to heckle more, and may be stiffer. one half inch is going to run about $.60 a foot.

I got 300 feet of 8 plait 1/2" line and 30 feet of G4 1/4" chain, in the 22 anchor locker. the 8 plait stores in less space of the 3 strand. (but not really cheap). I believe mine was 80 cents a foot.

I made a Sunbrella panel which is screwed into the back of the small fiberglass anchor locker bulkhead, and attaches just under the deck (a 1/2" dowel is the upper support).
 
Thanks for the replies. Looks like I will be replacing mine with 8 plait and 30' of chain. Does anybody have a recommendation as to where to buy from?
 
Jody,

I purchased an 8 strand plaited anchor rode from Defender. It came pre spliced with 275' of rope and 25 feet of 1/4" G4 Hi-test chain. I believe it was item 001514. I use it with my old Simpson Lawrence Sprint 400 vertical windless and have no complaints. It feeds into the anchor locker with out any problem. Defender puts it on sale every once in awhile. If I remember right what I saved on the sale price covered the shipping cost.

Bill
 
Mine was from Defender too. 50 foot of chain & 250 ft 1/2 in 8 plait. I had them do the splice, being I know it's the place the windless will most likely slip on the rode if not done very well. They did a very good job & I still get at the splice occasionally a momentary slip. I have in the past made a few of these splices, but only with three strand & they didn't look professional, like I imaginable Bob's do.

Jay
 
I spoke to the folks at Defender they told me that the brand of rope they use is Buccaneer this isn't one that I had heard of. Is that the brand they used on yours Jay, Bob, Bill. My last rode was 20 feet of chain and 200 feet rope. I'm thinking I want at least 30 feet of chain and 275 feet of rope. Does that sound like it will work?
 
The rope I purchased was advertised as New England when I purchased it two years ago, but if I remember right at that time there were several different suppliers to choose from. There set pieces at the time came in lengths like Bill bought. I had to do a custom order to get the 50 ft of chain with 250 of rope, but could also of got most any other combination desired. I can't remember the exact price, but I do remember thinking it was reasonable.

Jay
 
Jody,

I purchased my rode in Feb. 2013. I went with their already made up pre spliced 275'/25' rode. Not sure what brand of rope they were using at that time but it is holding up well. I paid $285 which included shipping. The seemed to be the best bang for my buck. For the type of boating and anchoring I do so far the 25' of chain has worked out well.

Bill
 
jkidd":hwulgdpn said:
thataway":hwulgdpn said:
I also got mine from Defender. Did my own splice.
Click to expand...

How hard is it to do the splice on 8 plait?
Click to expand...

Fairly easy, I took photos and will do a tutorial (also linked to web sites)
It took about an hour, including whipping and dipping the other end of the line and marking the rode every 50 feet with colored electrical ties.
 
I bought some Bucaneer dock lines from Defender. Made in the USA, holding up well and they look like they can hold a tug; sorta overkill on a C-D 25.

Here's Bucaneers Web Site.

I did the rope to chain splice on Journey On's plaited anchor line. Doesn't look all that smooth, but it's held for 3 years.

Boris
 
I'm sure others will have a different opinion to mine. I have always gone with a minimum length of chain equal to one and a half times the length of the boat. So on my 22 I have 35' of chain. I sometimes wonder if I should have gone with 50' ?

Martin.
 
I think that length of chain depends on where you are anchoring. Generally LWL or LOA of the boat is accepted. Truth be told, probably the more chain the better. We had 160 feet of chain on the boat we took to Europe--and it was rare that we had to use the rope part of the rode. In other words, for the most part we were anchoring in less than 30 feet, although we had an additional 400 feet of rope.

One of the East coast dealers fitted the C Dorys with 100 feet of chain--including the boat I own now. It is Proof Coil, not 4G, so not usable on the windlass. It was put there to "keep the bow down"--I would rather keep less weight in the ends of the boat, and trim with the trim tabs and motor.
 
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