Extending anchor warp: more chain or rope ?

[Pirx]

Our Moody31 has about 15 meters of good chain attached to the anchor and another 15 meters or so of nasty rusty chain attached the end of he good bit. I'm going to throw the naff length away and replace it with something reliable.
Should I go for chain ? or for rope ? and if rope how best to make the attachment between chain and rope. we don't have a windlass or anything clever, just muscle power into the chain locker with a large opening hatch.

 

[Yngmar]

Rope should do. Easier to haul in without a windlass for sure. If you're getting chain, it would make more sense to replace the whole length rather than connecting short bits together.

Put a shackle on the end of the chain, tie rope to shackle. Seize shackle with wire or Loctite. Avoid rope-to-chain splices, they are for going through windlasses and cause the chain to rust horribly.

 

[Refueler]

It all depends on where you intend to anchor and depths etc.

If you are a casual anchor'er ... then I would think replace with a good warp ... ie Octoplait or similar. If you are a serious anchor person and want to be sure ... then I would suggest replace with chain.
Do you ever anchor and use that latter bad chain ?

Interested why there is good and bad chain ... is it because half the chain has rarely seen light of day and just rusted away in the locker ? Is it all one length or does it have a joining link ?

 

[Refueler]

My long chain has a rope backup section which TBH I have never had to let out enough to use the rope.

The rope is spliced to the chain and has been there for over 20yrs that I know of ... yes there's some rust evident - but light surface only. Its best way if you have Naval Pipe ... stemhead roller etc. Shackles tend to get snagged ...

 

[Neeves]

Use 6mm chain and it will be easy to retrieve by hand. Buy one length and then there is no need to worry about a join - but if you want to fit to the existing chain then your new piece of chain will be the same size as the old (good) piece. Crosby 'C' links are totally reliable if you want to join chain - see Vyv Cox' website. You can buy Crosby 'C' links from Tecni in the UK. Most 'C' links available from chandlers are rubbish.

I suspect you will be using 8mm which is OTT for a 31' yacht. The 6mm will take up less room and will do the job. I'd also use a 10mm x 10m length of 3 ply nylon as a snubber.

Keep the good length of chain as a second rode, simply splice on some nylon 12mm (I assume you have a second anchor?)

Jonathan

 

[Pirx]

Many thanks everyone, great help.

Interested why there is good and bad chain ... is it because half the chain has rarely seen light of day and just rusted away in the locker ? Is it all one length or does it have a joining link ?

I don't know: was like this when boat purchased 3 years ago. The good chain is connected to the anchor, then a joining link, then the (very) nasty length. I assume the bad bit was original with the boat and the new length added later.

I'm going to have a good think about this ( and all the other snagettes ! ) over the winter ....

 

[Refueler]

Many thanks everyone, great help.



I don't know: was like this when boat purchased 3 years ago. The good chain is connected to the anchor, then a joining link, then the (very) nasty length. I assume the bad bit was original with the boat and the new length added later.

I'm going to have a good think about this ( and all the other snagettes ! ) over the winter ....

I'd be inclined as another said ... swap it round so good chain is now in the locker ... remove the bad and replace with new. No need to waste the old good chain unless you have need of it another job ? I keep good old for securing my pontoons etc.