Counting the Rode

[barnakiel]

I have numbered the links on ours so that we know EXACTLY how much chain is out at any given time ...

b.

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I have numbered the links on ours so that we know EXACTLY how much chain is out at any given time ...

b.

so how did you number them so the number can be read at night?

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by wingless

The "in"-famous wingless two-digit trinary chain marking color code works for me.

On my 200' chain, there are two inner links that increment red - white - blue every 20', then the outer two links increment red - white - blue.

This is available for others to use, but the technique needs to be attributed as the "wingless trinary color code" and $20 needs to be deposited to my Paypal account.

After trying many things, I too went to Red, White, Blue paint. The spacing is up to you. I think I went 5 fathoms/30 feet spacing. So the second time Red comes up you are at 120 feet etc.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by carstenb

so how did you number them so the number can be read at night?

Some more advanced boats have them s.c. foredeck lights.

b.

[Catopia]

Bought these on defender.com.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Some more advanced boats have them s.c. foredeck lights.

b.

ah yes, happen to have those myself - but aren't the number just a little bit tiny when chiselled on one link of chain?

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by carstenb

ah yes, happen to have those myself - but aren't the number just a little bit tiny when chiselled on one link of chain?

It all depends on what size of chain you go for.

We read real deep into the forum and found this:
http://www.hardware-chain.com/photo/...chor_chain.jpg
to be optimum.

Hence, the numbers are clearly readable.

b.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

It all depends on what size of chain you go for.

We read real deep into the forum and found this:
http://www.hardware-chain.com/photo/...chor_chain.jpg
to be optimum.

Hence, the numbers are clearly readable.

b.

Personally, I just paint bands every 25'. My gypsy rejected all attempts to use cable ties, webbing, etc. I never seem to need more than 100 feet; the Chesapeake is shallow.



Alternatively, for winches that power down, it is perfectly accurate to simply count time (seconds times ft/second).

[AnchorageGuy]

We have found that paint wears off rather quickly with all of the anchoring we do. And if it's dark is doesn't help at all. The webbing works best for us and goes through the windlass with no issues. Does well in the chain or in the rode. Chuck

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I have numbered the links on ours so that we know EXACTLY how much chain is out at any given time ...

b.

Neat ; much better than my method.

I have 50 metres of chain and 50 metres of nylon line.

Initially I just had the usual marking - the splice between the chain and line was the 50 metre mark and the end of the line was the 100 metre mark.

This proved unsatisfactory on occasion so I now mark it the following way.

10 metres of 3/8" of galvanised chain, 10 metres of black 8 plait nylon, 10 metres of stainless steel chain, 10 meters white 8 plait nylon, 10 metres of 5/16" galvanised chain, 10 metres of black 3 strand laid nylon, 10 metres of 5/16" stainless steel chain, 10 metres of of white 3 strand laid nylon and I just forget how the last 20 metres is made up - it stays mostly in the chain locker out of sight anyway although in a blow, it can all be deployed in one go.

I find than estimating to the nearest 10 metres to be adequate.

While I don't need any foredeck lights at night, I did find all that chain / line splicing was tiresome as is changing over the gypsy at the 40 metre interval. OK in mild conditions in the daylight but not so much 3am squall time.

Did you punch the numbers in yourself or have it professionally engraved / stamped and then regal'd?

[D&D]

Originally Posted by Alan Mighty

I don't endorse or use them, but most Whitworths stores carry Rainbow Chain Markers (these ones for 8 mm chain)

I prefer a less expensive measure: some cheap (inexpensive and cheap) three strand polypropylene rope. Cut into 500 mm lengths. Then unlay into the three separate strands. Take a strand and weave it through the chain at whatever interval turns you on. Available in colours.

Al

Thanks Al

We found these little plugs/markers stand the tests of usage and time very well...and, at ~$13/8 of them, they don't seem all that expensive either.

Unfortunately, the Whitworths catalogue only lists these for 8 and 10mm chain.

We have 12mm chain and we can see them available elsewhere, e.g. defender.com as suggested by Catopia, so we'll eventually find some more.

We've only had one of these pop out (over 80M of chain, marked every 5M) over the past 3 years with plenty of usage...and the one that popped out is sitting on the desk now, waiting to go back where it came from! We only have one plug at each mark though (with the 10M marks then supplemented with cable ties...2 ties at 20M; 3 ties at 30M; and so on) and we'd like a few more, especially at the 10M marks, to make them easier to see.

We painted the chain on an earlier vessel, but found the paint didn't last.

[Navicula]

I also use florecent paint....however my boat draws 5 feet so I usally anchor in approx 10 feet of water.........so my first mark is 70 feet, (7 times the scope)....after I hook....and if the weather is calm, I will bring some chain in

after the 70 foot mark its 100, then 150, 200, 250....then full chain 300 ( never been there)

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by Catopia

Bought these on defender.com.

These sound like a good solution, I'd like to try them out.

I couldn't find them on the Defender site, but I did find them here. Never dealt with this company so I can't endorse them.

[zeehag]

i know how much chain i have and leave some on deck to see what is remaining when i need to add length for bigger winds. i count backwards the length i have left vs what is down.
accurate.
no problem.
unmarked chain.

[donradcliffe]

Paint wears off rapidly if you anchor out, zip ties fall off. I use nylon parachute cord ties every 50 ft.