Old anchor rode - should it be replaced?

[ari]

Just getting the boat ready to go back into the water and running through all the usual safety kit - lifejackets, fire extinguishers etc. It occurs to me that the boat is now over 20 years old and it still has the original anchor rode (it has anchor chain and then warp) that the boat was supplied with new. The anchor locker is inevitably always a bit damp, either from the chain and rode having been in the water, or just from rainwater or boat washing that runs through the anchor locker. The warp is the usual type of rope (braided, I think it's called? It's not the 'twisted' style). I don't know what it's made of but I guess there is a normal type (it's whatever the manufacturer originally supplied).

Is this the sort of thing that should be replaced periodically? Or does it just carry on working without rotting or losing strength, just gradually looking more green and grubby?

 

[benjenbav]

I should just do it. My last boat was all chain but I remember being surprised one year on checking that the cord attaching the bitter end was - shall we say - no longer fit for purpose!

 

[Boathook]

Lay all the chain and rope out and inspect. Pay even more attention to the shackles, rope splice and associated chain links. If a link looks worn cut it off and put a new decent shackle on or redo the splice.
Most chains seem to rust away rather than wear unless you spend a lot of time at anchor.

 

[ari]

I'm less worried about the chain (as you say, it doesn't actually get a lot of use), it's more about the rope and whether that can degrade unseen.

 

[NBs]

Hi ari,

two thoughts, the anchor rope is not an expensive investment vs your concern about its strength.

Another thought, the rope has been away from the sun's UV light, which is the worst enemy of the ropes.

Is the rope still elastic and supple, or has it become dry and stiff and rough?

The ropes can be maintained, wash in the washing machine at 30-40°C like washing clothes. tie the rope well so it doesn't get tangled in the knot.

NBs

 

[ari]

Hi ari,

two thoughts, the anchor rope is not an expensive investment vs your concern about its strength.

Another thought, the rope has been away from the sun's UV light, which is the worst enemy of the ropes.

Is the rope still elastic and supple, or has it become dry and stiff and rough?

The ropes can be maintained, wash in the washing machine at 30-40°C like washing clothes. tie the rope well so it doesn't get tangled in the knot.

NBs

Thank you, that's helpful. It feels fine, a bit green and slimy in places perhaps. Still elastic and supple as far as I can tell (I don't really handle it, I just winch it out and winch it back in). I just don't know whether weakening or rotting over time is a thing.

 

[Boathook]

I'm less worried about the chain (as you say, it doesn't actually get a lot of use), it's more about the rope and whether that can degrade unseen.

Rope doesn't normally degrade if it is kept out of the sun. If it is a bit mucky lay the rope out and scrub it clean. You won't get it perfectly clean but you will be able to the condition of the rope much better. If it looks ok fine. If it is showing wear at either end chop the ends and redo the splices. Damage in the middle means you have 2 spare mooring lines.
When I wash the boat or fill the water tanks I rinse my chain locker to remove salt, etc and leave the lid open for a long as possible for it to dry.

 

[NBs]

Thank you, that's helpful. It feels fine, a bit green and slimy in places perhaps. Still elastic and supple as far as I can tell (I don't really handle it, I just winch it out and winch it back in). I just don't know whether weakening or rotting over time is a thing.

Hi,
You definitely have a "plastic" material rope, it won't rot, but as you mentioned something can start to grow on it, I believe it's only cosmetic "algae" that doesn't reduce the breaking strength.

I have never heard of the rope being weakened by anything other than UV from the sun and some chemicals can cause problems or too much load in the line.

A pressure washer with moderate power could help freshen up the appearance of the rope or a little brushing and rinsing with water when you lift the rope up.

NBs

 

[ari]

Rope doesn't normally degrade if it is kept out of the sun. If it is a bit mucky lay the rope out and scrub it clean. You won't get it perfectly clean but you will be able to the condition of the rope much better. If it looks ok fine. If it is showing wear at either end chop the ends and redo the splices. Damage in the middle means you have 2 spare mooring lines.
When I wash the boat or fill the water tanks I rinse my chain locker to remove salt, etc and leave the lid open for a long as possible for it to dry.

That's helpful, many thanks. As it happens, I do exactly the same regarding hosing it with fresh water and letting it dry.

 

[ari]

Hi,
You definitely have a "plastic" material rope, it won't rot, but as you mentioned something can start to grow on it, I believe it's only cosmetic "algae" that doesn't reduce the breaking strength.

I have never heard of the rope being weakened by anything other than UV from the sun and some chemicals can cause problems or too much load in the line.

A pressure washer with moderate power could help freshen up the appearance of the rope or a little brushing and rinsing with water when you lift the rope up.

NBs

That's reassuring, thank you again.

 

[jfm]

Yup, I would not change it at a mere 20 years if it has no seen much UV and has no visible wounds. Your hull is made from plastic too and doesn't need changing

I would be thinking 40-50 years as the "life" of plastics that are not in UV.

Also I doubt you'll be leaving the boat anchored unattended in winds/tides so strong that the rope gets anywhere near its breaking point.

 

[ari]

Great advice, thank you!

 

[Bowlerhat]

Have you compared the way your rode feels compared to brand new in the chandlers? They should be the same. As others have aid, any stiffening would ring alarm bells. I’m sure you have, but I would be checking all the shackles, splices, eyes, swivels etc. The rope and chain are less lightly to wear than the points at which they are connected to either the boat, the anchor or each other. C-links are notorious for corrosion.

 

[Bajansailor]

Ari mentioned that his rope is braided - if it is 8 strand Octoplait or similar it should still be fairly supple.

You probably have a splice joining the rope to the chain - this can wear, and if there is any doubt about it (could you maybe post a photo?) then it would be worthwhile getting the splice re-done.
Anchor Warps Spliced to Chain
The conventional three strand twisted nylon rope does tend to get very stiff, but washing it with detergent should help a bit.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

My experience of old rode. All chain, the last few meters of link at the bitter end can rust significantly which results in reduction in thickness. Chain warp, if it is octopliat woven into the chain, the chain can rust and the rope / chain join becomes very stiff. All nylon rode I have found the line kinked and the strands twisted open (3 x strand) and the line go very stiff with age. All this needs attending to. As other have said, lay it all out and have a look.

 

[Bouba]

Ari mentioned that his rope is braided - if it is 8 strand Octoplait or similar it should still be fairly supple.

You probably have a splice joining the rope to the chain - this can wear, and if there is any doubt about it (could you maybe post a photo?) they it would be worthwhile getting the splice re-done.
Anchor Warps Spliced to Chain
The conventional three strand twisted nylon rope does tend to get very stiff, but washing it with detergent should help a bit.

This is what I was going to mention...the splice...necessary because a knot won’t go through the winch...so if the OP isn’t good with splicing ...don’t cut it until you know a man who can....hopefully someone at the chandlers...but my experience is that there is usually only a few places that still have someone on staff who can still splice

 

[ari]

This is really helpful, thank you all.