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07-10-2019, 02:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: Rock Island, IL
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 147
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All Chain vs Chain and Line Anchor Rode
We need to replace our anchor rode on our 34' Mainship Pilot with a V700 Lewmar windlass. We are trying to decide between an all chain rode, 250' of 1/4" G4 chain, vs a 30' chain and 200' of 8 plait 1/2" line. Will be boating the inland rivers, Great Lakes, East Coast and Bahamas. Would appreciate hearing pros and cons and experiences you may have encountered. Thanks!!
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07-10-2019, 02:14 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,087
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Given the varied holding grounds, I think I'd go with 250' (for example) of chain... and back that up with another 100' (or maybe 200') of 8-plait. The extra rope would be about "what if" situations.
Around here, we just use a short 25' chain leader and 300' of 8-plait, but that's because of the mud here in the Chesapeake... and the time it takes to clean mud out of the chain... and there's aren't all that many rocks and so forth to saw against rope.
-Cris
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Chesapeake Bay, USA
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07-10-2019, 03:47 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: .
Vessel Name: GOTCHA
Vessel Model: Hatteras 58 LRC
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,103
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I agree, but I would increase the chain to 50'
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Captain F. Lee - R.P.E.
USCG 200 GT Master
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07-10-2019, 03:51 PM
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#4
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Master and Commander
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
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I'd go all chain. It can be a hassle handling different rodes on the windlass. That is, if weight isn't a major factor and a very long rode isn't needed. My boat is bow "light" so never see the need for a mixed rode.
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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07-10-2019, 03:53 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: .
Vessel Name: GOTCHA
Vessel Model: Hatteras 58 LRC
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,103
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Are you flying a black ball when anchored, if so good on you.
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Captain F. Lee - R.P.E.
USCG 200 GT Master
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07-10-2019, 03:54 PM
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#6
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Valued Technical Contributor
City: Litchfield, Ct
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,784
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FWIW I owned a Pilot 34 for five years. But no matter, my comments are applicable to anyone who cruises in varied waters:
Chain has several big advantages:
1. The chain feeds easily into the windlass and down in the chain locker. I have yet to see a chain to rope splice that retrieved without human intervention.
2. Chain provides more weight to keep the shank of the anchor parallel with the bottom for better holding power.
3. Chain does not break if you wrap it around a rock and tug and pull on it all night long.
Some cons:
1. Chain is heavy. But your boat will be fine with 250' or so of 1/4" G4.
2. Chain costs more.
So go with the chain. Maybe only 200' backed with 150' of nylon for the really deep anchorages.
David
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07-10-2019, 04:02 PM
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#7
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Master and Commander
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
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On the other hand, if you don't have a windlass and must recover the anchor by hand, I'd go with a boat-length of chain and the remainder of the rode in rope.
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Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
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07-10-2019, 04:10 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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I did the Great Loop including Lake Superior, the inland rivers to the gulf, the AICW numerous times, but not the Bahamas. Don't think I've anchored in more than 50' of water and 95% of the time <30'. It's extremely rare for me to exceed 200' of chain.
All chain to 250' and add 100' of rope which adds no weight. If it doesn't effect the trim of the boat, can't beat all chain. The 100' of rope is your ace in the hole in case Mr. Murphy shows up.
Ted
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Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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07-10-2019, 06:35 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: Inside Passage Summer/Columbia River Winter
Vessel Name: Alaskan Sea-Duction
Vessel Model: 1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 8,050
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07-10-2019, 06:37 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: AZZURRA
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 54
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,308
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I’m with the 200’ chain plus 100’ of rope minimum camp. Unless you don’t have a windlass, then i’m In the 30’ chain and 250’ rope camp.
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07-10-2019, 07:12 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Concrete Washington State
Vessel Name: Willy
Vessel Model: Willard Nomad 30'
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,743
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Boat length of chain camp.
David,
No “con” for chain pile falling over?
__________________
Eric
North Western Washington State USA
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07-10-2019, 07:18 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: SF Bay Area
Vessel Model: Tollycraft 34' Tri Cabin
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 12,569
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If you want to read about and learn from hundreds of experienced boaters about this - I strongly recommend utilizing TF's "Search" feature!
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07-10-2019, 07:21 PM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,185
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We have 300’ of chain with a bit of small stuff on the end so I can let go of the anchor in an emergency. We usuall anchor in 20 to 30’ so we don’t let out that much chain. But out anchor rode locker is deep enough that we don’t really have a pile that falls over.
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07-10-2019, 08:15 PM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,266
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First question you should be asking yourself...
Does your current windlass pull line rode under tension without excessive slipping in the same gypsy the chain goes in??
The answer to that question will drive your decision.
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07-10-2019, 08:25 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Inside Passage Summer/Columbia River Winter
Vessel Name: Alaskan Sea-Duction
Vessel Model: 1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 8,050
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Art
If you want to read about and learn from hundreds of experienced boaters about this - I strongly recommend utilizing TF's "Search" feature!
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100%
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07-10-2019, 08:26 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Inside Passage Summer/Columbia River Winter
Vessel Name: Alaskan Sea-Duction
Vessel Model: 1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 8,050
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksanders
First question you should be asking yourself...
Does your current windlass pull line rode under tension without excessive slipping in the same gypsy the chain goes in??
The answer to that question will drive your decision.
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Good point Kevin...
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07-10-2019, 09:25 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Kinship
Vessel Model: North Pacific 43
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 9,046
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ksanders
First question you should be asking yourself...
Does your current windlass pull line rode under tension without excessive slipping in the same gypsy the chain goes in??
The answer to that question will drive your decision.
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Agreed. If the gypsy will handle both line and chain, I’d go with a mixed rode.
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07-10-2019, 09:45 PM
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#18
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Moderator Emeritus
City: SEWARD ALASKA
Vessel Name: DOS PECES
Vessel Model: BAYLINER 4788
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,266
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dhays
Agreed. If the gypsy will handle both line and chain, I’d go with a mixed rode.
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I would do the same. The stretch of a line rode is nice in a gusty anchorage.
The challenge we have as boats get larger is finding a windlass that will handle both in the same gypsy.
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07-10-2019, 09:51 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: Madeira Beach, FL
Vessel Name: Seaweed
Vessel Model: Schucker mini-trawler
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,236
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One other thing to consider: I did have 100' of chain, mostly anchoring in less than 10' of water. Well, the chain rusted, and because of the depth of water it rusted out at about 60-75' -- thus rendering the entire length junk.
So, this time I bought 150' of chain (G4 1/4") and figure that when this one gets damaged I'll swap end for end, and pitch the rusty stuff.
I don't re-galvanize. I know some have had good luck with that. I'd rather budget for chain replacement. This is my home. I cannot afford for her to have a weak link.
Add a three-strand snubber, and buy the chain grabber made by Mantus. It is Superior. And yes, I did tie the rolling hitch for years. This chain grabber holds better/is easier to deploy. It was well worth the $$. Frankly their stainless gear is impressive.
I also have their swivel, which I like too. This is my first swivel and it seems much more robust than others I've seen.
Picture:
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07-11-2019, 05:03 AM
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#20
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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Chain will be needed for the Bahamas because of the coral.
Otherwise a few ft of heavy chain (need not go thru the windlass ) and all line does not need to be scrubbed clean daily before going below.
The stench of stuff dying in the mud left on the chain does not add to the cruise pleasure.
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