Gypsy eating 3 strand rode

mrming

mrming

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Jul 2012
Messages
1,864
Location
immaculateyachts on Instagram
instagram.com
Just bought 50m of 12mm Liros 3 strand nylon spliced to 10m of 8mm chain from Jimmy Green.

The windlass is a Quick Genius with a combination rode / chain gypsy.

Unfortunately when the rode falls through the gypsy it bunches up and gets stuck. The rode is pretty soft and this has immediately damaged it.

The rode had a lot of twists in so the first thing I did was spend a long time working those through. This unfortunately doesn’t help. Currently the only way I can get it to go through the gypsy is to keep it under tension. Unfortunately this is not workable as it needs to be able to fall into the chain locker. The chain goes through no problem.

I didn’t buy octoplait because the quick website only said 3 strand would work.

Rode + chain is preferable as the chain lives right in the bow of the boat and I don’t want a ton of weight in there.

Any pointers as to where I have gone wrong? Is there a stiffer type of rode for example?

I have a feeling I have just purchased £150 worth of rode I can’t use.:(
 
mrming said:
Rode + chain is preferable as the chain lives right in the bow of the boat and I don’t want a ton of weight in there.
Click to expand...

But it isn't a "ton of weight". 50m of 8mm chain weighs about 70kg - less than the average adult. In your 32ft Fulmar, it won't make much difference.

mrming said:
I have a feeling I have just purchased £150 worth of rode I can’t use.:(
Click to expand...

Possibly...
 
@pvb Call me old fashioned but I would rather avoid an adult standing on the bow ?. We’re off on our summer cruise on Friday however so I don’t really have time to experiment with a different type of rode. I suspect I’ll end up paying twice and getting all chain this time.

@LadyInBed yes the gypsy looks in good order. I suspect octoplait would have worked just fine, sadly.

It’s the first time I’ve had such a luxury as a windlass so I’m a bit clueless. I may have to chalk this one up as a learning experience and save the extra chain and rode for a kedge. There’s an extra anchor in the cockpit locker which looks like it would do that job nicely.
 
One problem with horzontal windlasses and combination gypsies is that there is only a 1/4 wrap. That's just wishful thinking IMO. Vertical works better with rope because there is a 1/2 wrap. Never had a problem, other than perfecting the splice (they are more demanding in that regard).
 
mrming said:
@pvb Call me old fashioned but I would rather avoid an adult standing on the bow ?. We’re off on our summer cruise on Friday however so I don’t really have time to experiment with a different type of rode. I suspect I’ll end up paying twice and getting all chain this time.

@LadyInBed yes the gypsy looks in good order. I suspect octoplait would have worked just fine, sadly.

It’s the first time I’ve had such a luxury as a windlass so I’m a bit clueless. I may have to chalk this one up as a learning experience and save the extra chain and rode for a kedge. There’s an extra anchor in the cockpit locker which looks like it would do that job nicely.
Click to expand...

If you need a rode for your kedge, you didn't waste much. No need to scold yourself. I would use less chain on a kedge, but if you want it for a spare anchor as well, you're good. When I was cruising I carried yet another 50 meter line for kedging, drogue, and shore ties as well.
 
thinwater said:
One problem with horzontal windlasses and combination gypsies is that there is only a 1/4 wrap. That's just wishful thinking IMO. Vertical works better with rope because there is a 1/2 wrap. Never had a problem, other than perfecting the splice (they are more demanding in that regard).
Click to expand...

It’s a vertical windlass actually but I think this particular rode is just too soft and twisty.
 
The rope need not be wasted. Use it as a snubber. Buy some extra chain and attach with a 'C' link. You could think through that having extended the chain how you could attach the rope you already have to allow you to further extend the chain - I'd recommend an all chain rode and use the retired rode rope as a snubber. A 50m snubber is a bit excessive but 20m is not unheard of. Keep the existing rope to use as your secondary rode (add a few metres of chain) - you can then think of anchoring in a 'V' and buy a completely new all chain rode - no join. For ideas on a snubber look at the July issue of Yachting Monthly - there is a really good article devoted to the topic :)

I agree that having a grown adult standing on the bow when you beat to windward will do nothing for the sailing characteristics. The answer would have been a windlass with a gypsy for smaller, stronger, chain - but a bit late for that now :(. - gypsies are expensive (if you ask for a price - receive the answer sitting down :(

There are plenty of options - sadly I cannot think of a really cheap answer :(

We use 30m snubbers and our spare rode is 15m of chain and 40m of 3 ply nylon ( and really if you are going 'off piste' then you should have a spare rode (and spare anchors).

Just another support for what Thinwater said in post # 6

Jonathan
 
Last edited:
mrming said:
Thanks all for the v helpful responses ?


My mistake - it is horizontal - it’s the model at the top of this :
Quick SpA - Products and Accessories for the Boating Industry - made in Italy

@Neeves do you know of a c-link that will go through the gypsy cleanly?
Click to expand...

Go to Vyv Cox website. Vyv has tested and used them

The link you want is available from Crosby vie Tecni (I know I'm constantly quoting them - I'm in Oz - I don't know anyone else -feel free to buy from someone else)

You need to be able to hammer the rivets, so closing the 2 'C' links needs to be conducted on shore. Do not be tempted to apply heat and weld - you will seriously reduce the strength.

Jonathan
 
That link should be OK. If you really want to feel safe at anchor, and use the link, reverse the chain. Half the time you won't use all 50m and the link will not be under strain. If you use your 3 strand as a snubber make a long one and attach the chain hook ahead of the link with the ends of the snubber rope taken back to your forward cleats. If you have put a swivel between chain and anchor, buy 3 links of 10mm chain to put between anchor and swivel. That prevents the swivel suffering any sideways loads.

This is the arrangement on my larger boat with 10mm chain and 12mm links.
tn_DSCF4994.JPG
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top