Rope rode or all chain

[BurnitBlue]

This subject seems to be one of the biggest differences between USA and UK (European) anchoring practice.

The preference in USA is for a chain leader and rope rode, while on this side of the Atlantic it is almost unheard of to use rope except for a kedge or stern anchor.

Does anyone know if this division still exists. Also I would be interested to learn other countries preference, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

The reason I am interested is that the anchoring system on my (new to me)Moody 346 only allows 25 meters of chain into a rather small anchor locker directly underneath the winch which is in a well inset into the deck and covered with a hatch.

I am considering augmenting the 25 metres of chain with a further 30 metres of Multiplait which maybe can be coiled in the well where the windlass is. Would like to know the latest state of the game.

Edit: To clarify that. The anchor windlass is in its own well covered with a hinged hatch. The anchor locker is underneath that well in a small compartment which holds only about 25 metres of chain.

 

[sailorman]

This subject seems to be one of the biggest differences between USA and UK (European) anchoring practice.

The preference in USA is for a chain leader and rope rode, while on this side of the Atlantic it is almost unheard of to use rope except for a kedge or stern anchor.

Does anyone know if this division still exists. Also I would be interested to learn other countries preference, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

The reason I am interested is that the anchoring system on my (new to me)Moody 346 only allows 25 meters of chain into a rather small anchor locker directly underneath the winch which is in a well inset into the deck and covered with a hatch.

I am considering augmenting the 25 metres of chain with a further 30 metres of Multiplait which maybe can be coiled in the well where the windlass is. Would like to know the latest state of the game.

we have 30m of 8 m/m chain & 30 m 18 m/m anchorplait

 

[Boathook]

I use around 18m of 8mm chain with 40m of 18mm 3 'strand' nylon.

 

[Monique]

I have 50 meters of 10 mm chain with 100 meter of 16mm rode.

Your concept would work fine in my opinion. GL

 

[theoldsalt]

BlueTwo,

The chain locker on the M346 may seem small but I suggest it will hold far more than 25m of 8mm chain. The main problem is preventing a pyramid forming when recovering the anchor. I have approximately 25m of 8mm chain and my locker (M346) is less than half full.

I have never needed more chain or added rope but then I anchor only in shallow water. But I do have rope to add if ever the need arises.

It really depends where you anchor and in what conditions that determines your need.

Lots of M346 owners on the Moody Owners Association website for further advise.

 

[BurnitBlue]

Thanks for the super quick replies. I cannot seem to get a grasp on how this is implemented. Lets say I have 25 metres of chain out with another (say) ten metres of rode. I wind in the rope rode using the rope drum on the anchor winch coiling it in the anchor winch well until I get to the chain. Now what? It seems that I must unshackle the rope from the chain then feed the chain to the gypsy then continue winding in the chain until the anchor comes aboard. I end up with the chain in the locker under the winch and the rope coiled in the well where the anchor winch is bolted.

Or do you have the rope rode connected to the anchor with the chain connected to the end of the rope. (NO that won't work) However, that way, if it did work, I don't have to unshackle the chain from the rode. Feeling pretty dumb about this.

 

[sailorman]

Thanks for the super quick replies. I cannot seem to get a grasp on how this is implemented. Lets say I have 25 metres of chain out with another (say) ten metres of rode. I wind in the rope rode using the rope drum on the anchor winch coiling it in the anchor winch well until I get to the chain. Now what? It seems that I must unshackle the rope from the chain then feed the chain to the gypsy then continue winding in the chain until the anchor comes aboard. I end up with the chain in the locker under the winch and the rope coiled in the well where the anchor winch is bolted.

Or do you have the rope rode connected to the anchor with the chain connected to the end of the rope. (NO that won't work) However, that way, if it did work, I don't have to unshackle the chain from the rode. Feeling pretty dumb about this.

rope to chain splice , the rope will run reasonably around the gypsy

 

[BurnitBlue]

Brilliant. Thanks for that.

 

[nimbusgb]

90m of 10mm chain but then I only have a CQR on the end of it

 

[GrahamM376]

The reason I am interested is that the anchoring system on my (new to me)Moody 346 only allows 25 meters of chain into a rather small anchor locker directly underneath the winch which is in a well inset into the deck and covered with a hatch. QUOTE]

The 346 (we used to have one) chain locker will take 50m, only problem is that you have to go down below to push the pile over or, have someone down below whilst hauling, to spread the chain out. To overcome the problem I use I wireless controller so I can control the winch from down below and flake the chain out at the same time.

 

[vyv_cox]

If you are heading to the eastern Mediterranean you will find it far more convenient to have all chain for berthing stern-to, for a variety of reasons. The most important is that inevitably at some stage another boat will wrap your rode around his prop. It is far more difficult for him to cut your chain than your rope, although I know of at least one case in which it happened. More reasons: rodes wear on the bottom with splices particularly bad, the weight of the chain helps a lot in cross-wind berthing, you often don't want any rode stretch in windy harbours, it helps in crossed anchor situations to have only chain out.

 

[William_H]

Rope or chain

In Australia the question is a bit more muddled because of the huge number of light weight trailable planing boats powered by O/B. Here weight is of real importance plus people seldom anchor then leave the boat. 40000 boats pleasure registered in West Australia and perhaps 200 of those have all chain. But that doesn't make all chain inaproriate.
So I could say correctly only a very small portion have all chain and the legal requirements only call for 5 metres of chain then rope. But again they are directed at small boats. I would think chain and rope fine.
I would also be happy (in fact I do) feed rope into locker with chain on top and anchor on top of that.
It means it comes out in correct order in an emergency. good luck olewill

 

[Monique]

QUOTE]

The 346 (we used to have one) chain locker will take 50m, only problem is that you have to go down below to push the pile over or, have someone down below whilst hauling, to spread the chain out. To overcome the problem I use I wireless controller so I can control the winch from down below and flake the chain out at the same time.[/QUOTE]

Easy solution: Stainless Steel chain does not lump up.. although it is more expensive than galvanized of course.

 

[fireball]

Last boat we had 10m of 8mm chain with a further 50m of warp.
This boat we have 50m of 8mm chain (and an electric windlass!)

The chain and warp was good as I could just dump out what I wanted and leave it.
The all chain is good as it seems to set more quickly - and with the electric windlass either SWMBO or I can operate it - where as without I was the anchor monkey - although I do still have to go and get it all ready!

 

[SvenglishTommy]

I dont think it's a USA - Europe thing, more a cruising ground issue. In the Baltic, the anchoring practices would make a British sailior faint. Scopes of 2:1 if that, and all rope rodes, basically because the anchorages are so protected that you could chuck down a pound of suger on a string and you'd stay put, at least until the sugar disolved

 

[charles_reed]

Thanks for the super quick replies. I cannot seem to get a grasp on how this is implemented. Lets say I have 25 metres of chain out with another (say) ten metres of rode. I wind in the rope rode using the rope drum on the anchor winch coiling it in the anchor winch well until I get to the chain. Now what? It seems that I must unshackle the rope from the chain then feed the chain to the gypsy then continue winding in the chain until the anchor comes aboard. I end up with the chain in the locker under the winch and the rope coiled in the well where the anchor winch is bolted.

Or do you have the rope rode connected to the anchor with the chain connected to the end of the rope. (NO that won't work) However, that way, if it did work, I don't have to unshackle the chain from the rode. Feeling pretty dumb about this.

My 8mm chain and the 16mm Octoplait both work on the same gipsy.

I've 65m chain and 40m spliced on the end of that but always use some 12mm (3-10m) Octoplait on the chain as the last link to the boat. By leaving a large bight after the chain its cured the boat's habit of sailing up to the anchor and trying to sail it out It also means that the chain never comes clear of the water, even in 42 knots of wind) making a much smaller angle between chain and sea-bed.

 

[stav]

Have I seen somewhere a cone shape under where the chain comes in to make the chain heap up less?

The last boat (36') had 80M chain only current one just purchased has 55M chain. Around Sark it is easy to anchor in 20M of water, but I think 80M was excessive. Will probably add 40M rope to the 55M chain so I can sleep more comfortably when the day trippers have gone.

 

[KellysEye]

All the long distance cruisers we've seen, including American, use all chain for two very good reasons. First if strong winds get up when you are anchored then you will be very glad you have all chain with a big catenary, rope just pulls straight. Second, in light and variable winds boats with chain and rope move around. To those with all chain, who barely move, it's a complete pain because of the chance of being hit.

I would strongly recommend all chain.

 

[prv]

I would strongly recommend all chain.

Me too. If I can carry 40m of it on my 24 footer, you big boat chaps ought to be able to manage the same or better.

Pete

 

[Koeketiene]

I dont think it's a USA - Europe thing, more a cruising ground issue. In the Baltic, the anchoring practices would make a British sailior faint. Scopes of 2:1 if that, and all rope rodes

In the Baltic, I think that's more due to the negligible tidal heights differences and currents.