how long in a lay orWhats in a rode?

[catmandoo]

How much chain in 100 metres ? Which of the following is best ?

a 25 M chain and 75 rope
b 50 metres of chain and 50 rope or
c 30 m chain and 70m rope ?
d or all chain assuming stored weight is not a problem ? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.giflem

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'Day Catmandoo,

I suspect your question has no definitive answer. Selecting ground tackle is largely a personal preference based on needs, common sense, affordability, capacity to carry weight, space for storage, ease of handling, types and depth of bottoms visited, windage on structure and hull type, and the list goes on and on.

You may get better value by asking "what do you consider safe and easy to handle for a 28 foot Catfisher Yawl".

Expect some interesting responses and avagoodweekend.........

 

[William_H]

This may cause some horror but around here it seems to me very few people use more than a token 4 or 5 metres of chain. Prefering to have a bigger better anchor and lots of rope. But ultimately it is a question of what will help you sleep best. regards olewill

 

[simonfraser]

i prefer good anchor, 10m chain rest springy nylon, no coral around here to worry about
too much chain and it all gets v heavy, so you may not bother to put it all out, then what's the point

 

[jerryat]

FWIW I have 50m chain and 50m Anchorplait - twice, 'cos we have two 35lb CQR bower anchors available while we're long-term cruising. Got other anchors as well, but not with as much chain though similar rode.

As others have said, it's very much a personal matter and what lets you not only sleep well, but feel confidant in leaving your boat for (up to) a few days while you're off exploring. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers Jerry

 

[DERF]

Can't see why if storage and weight is not a problem you wouldn't go for all chain. Much better in every respect than chain/rope combi.

 

[catmandoo]

Reason is I read that a certain gentle man who makes spade anchor stated that 30 m or chain was enough and it should lie more or less horizontally. To be effective in a blow only the more elastic rope should be rising from the bottom since a rigid all chain would jerk the anchor out .

Hence my tongue in cheek question to see what others think

refer
Bluemoment Anchor rodes

 

[snowleopard]

more by luck than judgement, my chain is sufficient for the depth of water i usually anchor in (3-6m) with. that works out at 22m of chain and 5m of nylon bridle. it's backed up by 90m of nylon so the whole setup is good for up to 20m depth.

 

[Guest]

Jerking anchor out ??

An all chain would have more tendency to lay in a catenary than a rope ... try the little experiment of pulling a piece of string straight between outstretched arms with a little weight in middle. Impossible, but nearly. Now add a bit of weight and see what effect it has .... dramatic.

Now look at a rope being put under pull and snatch in a blow .... the chain laying on the bottom will resisting the rope attempts to break the anchor out ... as it has no weight or basic catenary left. Now consider a chain - extremely difficult to put bar straight compared to the rope ... yes we have all had the chain near straight at some time in our sailing lives .... even when I was on big ships it happened .... But it takes far more to do it to an all chain rode.

The trick is to have the pull on the anchor as near horizontal as possible ....

Me I carry all chain and even though its incredible ballast - I'm happy.

Now that old gent who loves his scientific quotations and test reports will strike me down ..... !!