multiplait or 3 strand

[Talbot]

What do people think about the type of rope to attach to anchor chain. I have 3 strand nylon at the moment which is very abrasive resistant, but a real pig to stow. I am considering change to multiplait, which should solve that problem.
Also how much anchor cable do people have. I have gone for 30m x 10mm chain and am considering in the region of 100m x 14mm rope (I could always use it then for a parachute (If I had one!!!)

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[hylas]

I will suggest the 8 strand Nylon (multiplait - Square line, etc..) much easier to handle and with the same resistance and elasticity..

To connect it onto the chain, please have a look at : www.bluemoment.com/warpchainsplice.html

About the anchor cable.. I suggest no more than 20 / 25 meters of chain (but 30 meters will be OK)
The size of the rope will be related to the lenght and displacement of your boat??

We consider that a boat will anchor in water depth egual to its length, and you need a maximum scope of 10 / 1 so.. in relation to the characteristics of your boat, it will be easy to find how much cable you will need..

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[Avocet]

I recently boucht some of Jimmy Green's "Anchorplait" I found it very easy to splice on to the chain and it fits nicely down my hawse pipe. I haven't used it yet and I don't know how strong it is but it looks a nice job!

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[snowleopard]

8-plait rope is much pleasanter to handle as it's nice and soft . unfortunately it's no good with a windlass which has rope/chain gypsy as the gypsy has to have a nasty hard rope to grip on.

if you don't have that problem, go for the soft stuff, it doesn't kink either.

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[tony_brighton]

We use 20m of 8m chain spliced to 40m of 22mm Octoplait on our Bav34. It stows really easily. Its spliced to the chain and we've found it really strong. We figured a 60m cable should cover most situations we could figure of - say anchoring over 1 tide in the Channel Islands.

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[graham]

Obviously the more heavy chain you use will improve the holding power but unless you have a windlass dont underestimate the brute strength needed to recover it all.

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[Talbot]

I had 20 m of 10mm chain and this was starting to make my back grumble (although it is MUCH easier to haul the anchor up on a catamaran), however I bought a lofrans airon at SBS with a drum so that I can continue to enjoy the benefits of anchoring (i.e. free mooring for the night!).

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[Talbot]

any reason why you used such large rope with a medium sized chain? did you do the splice yourself?

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[Talbot]

the windlass I have bought has a drum for just that reason - I dont like the concept of rope/chain gypsys - it has to be very hard on the rope.

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[wpsalm]

to much chain ........a length of chain equal in weight to your anchor i.e. 45lb anchor 50ft. 10mm chain for a total weight of about 100lbs....as to multiplait or 3 strand...multiplait is neat but not half the shock absorbing ability of 3 strand particularly if you conect it to the chain with a good swivel..

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[timevans2000]

I notice you have a Catalac. I have a snowgoose. We have 15 mteres of 10 mm chain and a lot of anchorplait (dont know how much). We use an aluminium spade anchor. This arrangement keeps the weight down but does give very good anchoring results. The multiplait stows very well and is stretchy and resistant to abrasion. our anchorplait is 18 mm. The parachute anchor rode we have onboard, supplied as part of the kit is 19 mm marlow line. it is nylon and specially made for the job. I dont think 3 strand would have the same stretch/strength charecteristics. It might work but I would not like to be out in a blow only to find it doesnt

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[Guest]

Lets put this one to bed !

Multi-plait is NOT stronger than standard 3-strand. It is more 'convenient' and handles 'nicely'.

3 strand has various advantages in hard working areas in that it has no outer sleeve to wear etc. and it has more internal friction to bind the fibres into a strength factor.

If you look at commercial plaited mooring ropes you will notice a trend - they are literally laid up ropes plaited into the final construction ...... Why ? No-one has beaten the conventional lay-up methods commercially yet. OK so there is TITAN ropes ....... but they are comercial and expensive - not really in Yacht world !!!!!



<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !

 

[Boathook]

I have got 15m of 8mm chain and then around 50m of 16mm 3 strand nylon and it all stows ok in the anchor locker. The rope is spliced on to the chain over 2 links complete with extra wrappng to reduce wear. This allow me to anchor in upto 3m of water to chain only which is adequate for most of my use and deeper water you are then to rope. Much more chain I will require a windlass which then clutters up the foredeck and is something else that needs maintenace

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[Talbot]

I had 10m of 8mm chain and started to drag on one occasion with 35+ knots of wind so upped to 20m of 10mm chain. I have increased again to 30m as I do anchor in deeper water, and have bought a windlass! (Lofrans Airon) I have also just bought 45m of 16mm octoplait from jimmy green for £95 inc which is a pretty good deal. I will have to do the splice myself, buty this is not a real problem. I will also be increasing the bouyancy on the boat both forward and aft this winter.

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