Rope storage drum...

[Neeves]

I saw a cat (about 45'), out of the Pacific islands, on the Beagle Channel with 200m x 2 of rope sitting in net turtles (like spinnaker bags) clipped to the lifelines, slightly forward of the mast, on each hull. The ropes were simply stuffed in. A monohull (also in the Beagle Channel), from memory out of Malta, had a line simply stuffed in a tall domestic laundry basket (tied to the mast) and the rope stuffed in (they had reels attached on the transom). Most yachts use reels, home made or bought. Obviously when they leave the higher latitudes they will have less need for shore lines and store them below (or for the cat) in their bow lockers.

What was interesting - all the yachts in Patagonia had at least 2 shore lines, sometimes 4, spare anchors (with spare rodes) and always an anchor on the transom (as well as the bow). They laughed at the idea of one rode and one anchor. They equally all smiled when I remarked on how every yacht had a chimney - but it was bracing even in summer.

I recall Morgan's Cloud had an article on shore lines and how to manage (reels) some time ago.

There will be an article in SAIL in the near future on shore lines and stern anchors.

 

[Mark-1]

Equally common is to replace the rope with tape wound on dedicated flat reels, Ultra make them.

Yeah, I noticed these in for the first time Chartering in the Baltic although (in the Stockholm Archipealago) chain seemed far more common. (On our boat SWMBO and I had substantial bow and stern anchors, both with substnatial and limitless chain, both with electric windlasses. Those were the days). I did consider the tape reels when I bought my 6mm nylon line but the price difference was immense for what I regard as a marginal advantage.

I think the whole idea of coiling the rope is bad. The best stowage is to make a bag out of old sail cloth or similar perhaps 80cm long 40cms wide./ Put a hole in the bottom so one end protrudes. Stuff the rope in after getting all the kinks out of it.

Thanks, I'll consider that.

 

[Neeves]

Yeah, I noticed these in for the first time Chartering in the Baltic although (in the Stockholm Archipealago) chain seemed far more common. (On our boat SWMBO and I had substantial bow and stern anchors, both with substnatial and limitless chain, both with electric windlasses. Those were the days). I did consider the tape reels when I bought my 6mm nylon line but the price difference was immense for what I regard as a marginal advantage.



Thanks, I'll consider that.

I'm not sure where the concept of the tape, as opposed to rope, came from. It is not unusual to see tape reels (and they look very neat, if a bit large in diameter). We carry rope(s), for lines ashore, and rope, 40m + chain 15m, as a spare rode. The rope is stuffed into milk crates and the rope and chain is neatly coiled (into a milk crate).

Usually there is plenty of time to sort out kinks from lines ashore or mixed rodes (it just needs patience) - we have not been caught short yet.

Most of us have not had sufficient practice - but coiling rope is an art, that rock climbers and riggers have honed to perfection.

 

[Mark-1]

I'm not sure where the concept of the tape, as opposed to rope, came from.

I was very impressed when I first noticed them, but now I think about it I suspect the idea came from Chandlers realizing there was no margin at all in selling nylon rope for £9 to wrap round wood offcuts and it would be far more profitable to sell webbing with a bespoke plastic reel for £85.

Me? Cynical?

 

[Neeves]

I was very impressed when I first noticed them, but now I think about it I suspect the idea came from Chandlers realizing there was no margin at all in selling nylon rope for £9 to wrap round wood offcuts and it would be far more profitable to sell webbing with a bespoke plastic reel for £85.

Me? Cynical?

I'm also a cynic - but

Me, poor

 

[Neeves]

Yeah, I noticed these in for the first time Chartering in the Baltic although (in the Stockholm Archipealago) chain seemed far more common.

See post 11

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?487315-Where-is-your-gas-locker-on-board/page2

We noticed that there were significant yachts, and large ones, with no ground tackle on the bow, but ground tackle on the stern - we may have been influenced in our appreciation by what we thought was 'normal'!

 

[Greenheart]

View attachment 66359

...its main purpose has been getting attached to a short bit of thin chain and used as my anchor cable.

Looks terribly clean, if you've been anchoring near Pilsey Island!

It looks very much like the 25m of cheap 8mm coir I bought as anchor line for the Osprey. I bought 5m of 6mm chain too. Never used it yet.

I read somewhere that the vastly preferable, tangle-resistant 'octoplait' anchor line could be found in 8mm, but I've never found it in any chandlery.

My solution was to wind the line round a pressurised, empty 2l pop bottle, of which I happened to have several (hundred). Quite neat and tangle-free, but slow to coil in.

Tiring of pulling the dinghy up through deep shingle, I've now turned the long rope into a neat 4:1 purchase, with spare double blocks. The tackle still tangles though.

 

[Mark-1]

empty 2l pop bottle,.

Nice, has the advantage if you drop it in it floats.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

What would worry me is the use of (1) three-strand line that is (2) only 6mm in diameter. Not much 'meat' there and, while adequate in terms of strength, it can chafe through in less than 15 minutes if the conditions near the bottom are 'right' - or 'wrong'.
My main anchor is on an 8mm all-chain rode and the second anchor (very rarely used as a 'lunch hook' ) is on 14mm line with 10metres of chain near the Bruce.

 

[Mark-1]

it can chafe through in less than 15 minutes if the conditions near the bottom are 'right' - or 'wrong'.

If it got hooked on something sharp enough it could be cut in a fraction of a second, never mind 15 minutes. Or if it got caught by the prop of a boat with a rope cutter that passed to close. Chain is better, I don't think anyone would argue otherwise, certainly not me.

 

[RupertW]

I think the whole idea of coiling the rope is bad. The best stowage is to make a bag out of old sail cloth or similar perhaps 80cm long 40cms wide./ Put a hole in the bottom so one end protrudes. Stuff the rope in after getting all the kinks out of it.
Push about 1 metre of rope in at a time. If you sew in some velcro at the top you can close it off leaving the end protruding.
The rope is easily pulled out without kinks or twists. Ideal for MOB throwing rope. Use cheap rope that floats. You anchor the bottom end where it protrudes from the bag and pull out as much as you need. easy peasy olewill

That's close to what we have - two 100m lengths of 10mm polypropylene line stuffed into heavy canvas zipped bags we saw in a pound shop (zips broke, pattern horrible but they live in locker when not in use). And these make great long lines for tying back to shore or rocks and float if they go slack so less likely to catch in our or other peoples props.

But they can come out in ugly bundles of 5 or 10m so I love the idea of a reel for only releasing what is needed and will try one out sometime.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Many thanks everyone.

On the face of it a plastic power lead tidy will do the job and is available for £3, plus I can prove the concept with one I have in my garage on a mains lead.

It's quite similar to what I already use, but won't deteriorate or give me splinters.

Glad I asked now, YBW at its best.

I had one of those (B&D brand), for an outdoor elec lead. It disintegrated due to UV exposure after about 15 years and it was only exposed when in use, being stored in a dark shed otherwise.

 

[Mark-1]

I had one of those (B&D brand), for an outdoor elec lead. It disintegrated due to UV exposure after about 15 years and it was only exposed when in use, being stored in a dark shed otherwise.

The one I'm using is about 6 years old and has had similar use to yours. So I've got about 9 years left before I have to spend £3. In contrast I've already repaired my home made wood one once in just over a year after it pulled into two bits my hand.