When anchored, do you..?

[DJE]

I've always put the chain straight from the bow roller on to one of the bow cleats. It's not very far and with any load on the chain the tension keeps it off the deck. But they are big bow cleats and I've never had any problems undoing the chain even after several days when it took a lot of work to dig the anchor out. I've got a chain hook spliced on to a few metres of three strand nylon but I only tend to use that when the boat is sheering about to stop the chain slamming across from one side of the roller to the other.

 

[paulwitney]

I have 30 metres of chain so usually deploy all and then just cleat off with the following rope. My windlass is supposed to be able to be able to take the strains of anchoring without using a cleat and if just staying for a short time I tend to rely on this but if a bit windy I usually throw a loop or two over the cleat. If shallow and not all chain is out I put a twist of chain over the cleat. Never slips and always easy to free.

 

[Refueler]

My centre post is designed to take the chain or a rope. So no problem for my chain to be reverse locked on to it. Reverse locking a chain means you can undo it even with strain on.

To those who have trouble removing a hitch and reckon to hang over bow doing it when strain is on ... Why ? a) cutting a synthetic rope when under tension and you are basically lieing next to the end that will come free - hope you have padding over your vitals, b) cut on deck - let the rope TWANG out board IF YOU MUST ... c) you should really draw rode in to slack whatever you are using to make fast.

I don't know how many have seen the damage a synthetic rope can do when released suddenly ? It can seriously injure, blind, maim ... A natural fibre rope is not so prone to this 'whiplash effect' as it doesn't stretch so ... it will generally fall away.