How often should you replace anchor rode?

[ryanroberts]

I have mixed chain / rode and its a bit manky. Must be at least 4 years old, has some obvious chafing and I'm a little paranoid about it. Also is mixed chain / rode even a good idea with no deck access to wash with fresh? I'm assuming much of the chain corrosion is due to it sitting around on top of soggy salty rope.

 

[Neeves]

If you feel the rope is questionable - its time to replace the rope. We cannot help you, we have not seen it. But rope is relatively cheap so I really don't see it as a big issue. You do not mention the state of the chain but if its flaking rust - it needs to be also replaced. If it is only rusty at the splice, cut of the rusty links and make a new splice.

You are correct - storing chain on a wet rope rode is a recipe for a short life. You should retrieve and store the rope separate from the chain, coil it and hang it from a hook in the bow locker and have the chain sitting separately. Make sure the chain locker drains well and that the chain does not sit in a puddle of water. Every time you wash the decks with fresh water you should make an attempt to wash the rode, all of it. Mud and salt are the enemy of chain.

If you leave the yacht on the hard over winter - take all the rode out and store it neatly on pallet under the hull. Wash it with fresh water, it will drain and air on the pallet.

You don't mention size of yacht, windlass, size of chain, length of rope vs length of chain - but if the chain is flaking rust after 4 years - that is a, very, short life. I'd expect the rode to last 1,200/1,500 nights at anchor before you need to replace chain.

Jonathan

 

[Stemar]

If you leave the yacht on the hard over winter - take all the rode out and store it neatly on pallet under the hull. Wash it with fresh water, it will drain and air on the pallet.

I just spread mine out on the foredeck. The rain takes care of rinsing the salt out.

If the rope is chafed, replace it, but try and work out why it chafed and do something to prevent it. My rope was far from new when I got the boat 17 years ago, but I can see no reason to replace it. I did replace my chain for a smaller size because I found the old chain too heavy, and I've had to cut off the rusty splice once in that time

As for a mixed rode, there are pros and cons. I haven't got a windlass, so weight is important. Actually, I reckon that weight is important for most boats, less for a for a heavy long keeler, more for a flying multihull. In terms of holding power, it makes no difference. By the time a properly set anchor is going to drag, an all-chain rode will be bar tight and as dead straight as makes no difference. The mixed rode may even be superior because the rope acts as a snubber, absorbing shocks. Additional bonus if you haven't got a windlass, you're more likely to let out a bit more rope because it isn't so hard to pull in. The only time I can see a real advantage for all chain is when anchoring in coral or barnacle covered rocks, when the rope can chafe surprisingly quickly.

(Someone will be along in a minute to explain why this is wrong and you'll drown if you listen)

 

[davidpbo]

I posed a similar question earlier this month. We anchor very infrequently, 23ft yacht usually on Windermere so fresh water. Currently on the Clyde for a while.

After I had cleaned the rode it was not so manky. I did remake the chain rode splice and replaced the shackle anchor to chain. Hope I made the right decision.

 

[ryanroberts]

My bow locker is only accessible from the v berth in that old school way. I like having the samson post though. Re -arranging the chain and rode in situ will make a right mess. Have a windlass but I guess I could manually haul in the rode and flake it on deck if not in a hurry to leave. Chain is certainly flaking rust, so time to get that sorted and probably replace the Bruce.

 

[ryanroberts]

If you feel the rope is questionable - its time to replace the rope. We cannot help you, we have not seen it. But rope is relatively cheap so I really don't see it as a big issue.

I'll take some pictures. Could just be paranoid but anchoring is something I need to feel comfortable about to get a decent night's sleep. Have probably only slept at anchor for a couple of weeks in total so may be over reacting a little.

 

[Neeves]

Stemar,

You are far to sensitive

In the last century - lots of people, or many of the few who could afford to sail (and to avoid upsetting too many) or focussed their limited wealth toward sailing, used a mixed rode. There was a lack of reliable electric windlass and hauling in chain would soon discourage you from anchoring. Chain would have been expensive (as it is now compared to rope) and if a mixed rode was good enough then - its good enough now.

Moving on - Ryan , you are correct - anchoring will only become pleasure if you can relax. Be warned - as Stemar implies 'anchoring ' threads seem to engender fear-mongers - but don't worry thousands anchor, they enjoy it (as do their families), they do it repeatedly.

Keep asking the questions - there is no one right way - solicit opinions.

Jonathan

 

[ryanroberts]

Have been happy enough for the last few days, after sorting a snubber out to quieten things down. Thunderstorm forecast is making me a little edgy however, I will be wimping out on a pontoon for that one. Bought a secondary fortress a couple of weeks back but I would still ..rather not risk it at the moment.

 

[cherod]

i keep my ( stored ) rope away from the chain which i give a spray of WD40 frequently and after use , looks like new

 

[ryanroberts]

Ok, it was mostly paint flaking off, chain isn't so bad after dipping the lot in for a few days. Really don't like the anchorplait getting clipped by the gypsy though

 

[Neeves]

A good way to remove loose paint (and this if extended is good prior to galvanising) is simply to pull the chain along a beach. If its a long or heavy piece of chain you will need mechanical help (vehicle). If preparing for the galvaniser - spend some time but if just removing loose paint, or surface rust - don't get too excited as you will inevitably start to remove the galvanising.

Jonathan

 

[thinwater]

I have mixed chain / rode and its a bit manky. Must be at least 4 years old, has some obvious chafing and I'm a little paranoid about it. Also is mixed chain / rode even a good idea with no deck access to wash with fresh? I'm assuming much of the chain corrosion is due to it sitting around on top of soggy salty rope.

It helps if you give more specifics. Size of boat, size of chain and rope. And of course pictures would really help.

Without those, It's like asking us if you need a hair cut.

 

[Stemar]

You are far to sensitive

Would you mind telling Milady that? She doesn't think I've got a sensitive bone in my body

In the last century - lots of people, or many of the few who could afford to sail (and to avoid upsetting too many) or focussed their limited wealth toward sailing, used a mixed rode. There was a lack of reliable electric windlass and hauling in chain would soon discourage you from anchoring. Chain would have been expensive (as it is now compared to rope) and if a mixed rode was good enough then - its good enough now.

I'm well aware of that, and utterly unrepentant of my advice, but I've seen what happens when one makes any sort of comment on any of the old favourites - anchoring, colregs, etc. My last line was merely an attempt at irony.