Anchor line

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imeche

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I'm considering using a weighted (leaded) rope type line for my new kedge anchor instead of the standard chain / warp.
Knotty Lady is 29' and weighs 4000kg. Anyone out there with positive / negative experiences and are there any recommendations on brand name?.
 
I've never used one but if there's enough weight I don't see why it should not be effective. You might however consider that one reason for favouring chain is its resistance to sharp stones or debris on the sea floor.
 
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I'm considering using a weighted (leaded) rope type line for my new kedge anchor instead of the standard chain / warp.

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Why??
 
Basically I'm quite new to yachting and am considering all options to sailing (or in this case not sailing) gear. I was thinking that it may be easier to handle and stow the rope rather than chain. Your comments are appreciated
 
Basically because I'm new to this yachting lark and will consider any equipment out there. But I need knowledge and opinions from experienced guys to push me in the correct direction.

Any comments are appreciated.
 
Many yottie manuals advise the use of a heavy weight on the anchor rode to assist the holding of the anchor. And it will reduce the shearing and snatching common to sloops at anchor in wind.

Shearing at anchor does not make fishing easy or desirable. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
I'm struggling to think of any reason why weighted rope would be beneficial for a kedge warp. Polyester and nylon rope sink of themselves, in case you are concerned about the problems of floating lines.

I use my kedge fairly frequently, to stop excessive swinging in tight anchorages and occasionally in a 'fork moor' to damp excessive yawing in strong winds. In each case I would normally take the anchor plus my 7 metres of chain in the dinghy while the crew pays out the Anchorplait. I can do this easily when rowing my inflatable tender and it is not too difficult to finish up where I want to be.

The traditional way to do it with an all-chain warp is to put the whole lot into the dinghy and allow the chain to rumble over the transom until it is all paid out. The technique is probably fine with a heavy clinker-built tender but it is quite tricky in an inflatable, especially in any wind. I would think that you might need to use the same technique with weighted rope.

IMHO you would be better with a short chain and multiplait rope, for ease of stowage, handling and holding. 5 metres seems to be a common chain length: mine is a bit longer because that was the length I had and it seemed an unnecessary effort to cut 2 metres off.
 
My kedge anchor is a Fortress with 5m of 8mm galvanised chain spliced to anchorplait. I use it much like Vyv Cox appears to. It works fine and I find it stows without problem. I am however usually anchoring in fairly shallow water since I can't find deep water over here in the East ;-)
Morgan
 
My 50m length of 14mm line weighs in at about 15kg, ie about twice that of "ordinary" rope. It obviously gives a better catenary than rope, mine came as the main anchor cable, with a bit of chain, on a boat that had done some racing. I think that it could be better suited to this use rather than for a kedge, but I wouldn't go out and buy any. It doesn't seem to offer any real advantage over a chain/rope combination
 
An anchor rope with a section of chain at the anchor is the preferred way to set up your anchor. Around here the all chain anchor set up is very much in the minority.
The boating regulations suggest 5 or 6 metres of chain to help the anchor set and provide protection at sea bed level. They go on to suggest a rope to depth ration of 5 to 1 versus 3 to 1 with all chain. But that is for the main anchor.
Fit as much chain as you have or see fit if it is only for a kedge.
A removable weight on the rope could be useful occasionally but I tend to think not necessary. olewill
 
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