Anchoring change from leaded line to chain?

[thejonesey]

I am now at that stage of the season when it is time to work out the winter jobs priorities. Our lovely new boat came with leaded line rather than chain (must be a Norwegian thing) with the anchor and this has, tbh discouraged us from anchoring. Obviously you need to throw out a lot more line but in busy anchorages this can be a worry.

If I am to change to chain then I will have to adapt the windlass so it is not going to be a cheap fix!

Anyone out there also using leaded rope (for a 5 tonne boat) and if so how well does it work?

Is chain really that much better or am I worrying without reason (probably) given I anchor in relatively protected places in benign conditions?

Anyone done a similar conversion?

PS we are not getting into the anchor debate! ?

 

[BruceK]

The advantages of chain are numerous and include:
ease of retrieval
less likely to tangle in the chain locker
Less scope required
Better catenary buffering / less snatch

cons

weight vs depth

Line is perfectly acceptable and works better or more correctly easier at increased depths
the down side is in tight anchorages you need more line out,
dont have a effective catenary buffering
will slalom and surf in the wind
The upside is if any raggie sees a mobo has thrown out a anchor on line they will give you a wide berth if they have any sense. Not only will you not lie to the current. you will lie unpredictably. A small drogue in the water may alleviate that if there is a strong enough current.

I'd go chain for tight anchorages personally.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I am now at that stage of the season when it is time to work out the winter jobs priorities. Our lovely new boat came with leaded line rather than chain (must be a Norwegian thing) with the anchor and this has, tbh discouraged us from anchoring. Obviously you need to throw out a lot more line but in busy anchorages this can be a worry.

If I am to change to chain then I will have to adapt the windlass so it is not going to be a cheap fix!

Anyone out there also using leaded rope (for a 5 tonne boat) and if so how well does it work?

Is chain really that much better or am I worrying without reason (probably) given I anchor in relatively protected places in benign conditions?

Anyone done a similar conversion?

PS we are not getting into the anchor debate! ��

That’s interesting, I have a small length of leaded line in my garage, I used it on a mooring many years ago. I had no idea it was still available, much less used for anchoring. That’s the first time I’ve heard of it being used in that way. What size rope is it? I can’t see any reason not to use it for anchoring, maybe others will give a more informed opinion.

 

[luptonj]

If the leaded line is similar in weight to chain, then the catenary effect would be the same, therefore you would only need the same scope as with chain.
Ideally you would have a couple of feet of chain immediately next to the anchor to prevent the line chafing on the bottom.

I think you are worrying unnecessarily. If your anchor sets easily and holds well when you put a bit of pressure on it by reversing then I can't see the wind moving it in any protected location.

btw - if the leaded line is of a suitable size and a similar weight to chain, then I would guess this was an expensive option to start with and was probably well thought out.

 

[RupertW]

Chafing on the bottom is a serious concern so a few metres of chain helps here.

Catenary is a contentious subject as it would (if it worked) reduce snatch loads as the curve straightened in a gust. But practically the curve has almost disappeared long before you get to the kind of gale force wind that might strain your anchor holding. So chain adds no advantage there which is why regular anchorers use a stretchy rope bridle attached to their chain after anchoring.

For the same reason no extra scope is needed with rope compared to chain - that's the same old bad maths. Your anchor design will dictate what angle it stops digging in at and practically that means you get nearly all the holding you are going to get at 3:1 but holding power will increase a fair bit by 5:1 then slowly tail off so no measurable advantage about 8 or 10 to one no matter whether you use rope or chain.

So if the rope is in good condition then adding 5 metres of chain to the anchor end would work nicely.

 

[BruceK]

If the leaded line is similar in weight to chain, then the catenary effect would be the same, therefore you would only need the same scope as with chain.
Ideally you would have a couple of feet of chain immediately next to the anchor to prevent the line chafing on the bottom.

I think you are worrying unnecessarily. If your anchor sets easily and holds well when you put a bit of pressure on it by reversing then I can't see the wind moving it in any protected location.

btw - if the leaded line is of a suitable size and a similar weight to chain, then I would guess this was an expensive option to start with and was probably well thought out.

So if the rope is in good condition then adding 5 metres of chain to the anchor end would work nicely.

Leaded line is not generally weighted the entire length of line. Just the bottom section and replaces a segment of chain in a chain rope setup. Unless the Norwegians do things differently?

 

[thejonesey]

Thanks so far.. sounds like I need to change it for our purposes. It is leaded throughout as I have had it all out.