How do you mark your anchor rode?

[flash]

I have a combination 30' 5/16" G43 Chain - 270' 9/16" 8 Plait anchor rode. I don't use all chain as my anchoring grounds are typically mud/sand/weeds with no rocks or coral and I do not have a windlass (yet!) on my Dana 24.

I'm wondering what techniques people use to mark their rode? I've seen plastic chain markers (or just painted links on chain), but given that I only have 30' chain marking that isn't necessary. I'm looking for the best approach to mark the 8 plait. Do you use the plastic flags that fit between the strands (does that even work with 8 plait)? Do you color the road at intervals with a urethane pigment? If so, how do you color code the line?

I obviously do not have a chain/rode counter and am looking for more crude solutions. Thanks!

[AnchorageGuy]

Flash, paint will quickly wear off, wire tiers will break off and paint can't be seen in the dark. we have used a simple method that last for many years and can be determined by both sight and feel. Here is a blog post with a photo, The Trawler Beach House: More Marine Trader Makeovers . If you ever add a windlass these will pass through the windlass with no problem. Chuck

[Snowpetrel]

I had webbing tags stiched on the chain. Red for 10m, then white, then blue. Repeating after 30 meters. They have lasted fine for 10 years and go through an electric windlass fine.

[daddle]

No marking. It's very close to three turns per meter on the gypsy (foot per turn). Or a second per turn if I'm not watching.

[Andrew Troup]

I haven't tried it with octoplait, but you should be able to tuck narrow polyester webbing (which seems to last well, when sewn as tags to chain) through the lay of the rope and then stitch it back to itself.

Use dark colours to contrast with the rope, and leave one leg of the tag long, like at least an inch, so you can feel it in the dark as the chain runs out.

[four winds]

I've used these vinyl markers for a couple of years, and they work fine for me.

Open up the three strand and slide them through.

WEST MARINE Anchor Rode Markers at West Marine

[mrohr]

Ok this is thread drift, but a windlass on a 24 foot boat? Hardly seems necessary, besides where are you going to mount the cannon?

[Cormorant]

Similar to Waterwayguy and Snowpetrel, we have cloth tags sewn onto our rode. I used 4 oz. sailcloth sewn with V-92 sailmaker's thread. The sailcloth is soft enough that when you're hauling your rode hand-over-hand you don't need to avoid the tags.

Since we don't have a depth sounder, and I often want to plumb the depth of our anchorage, I have the first 30 feet marked out in small increments (6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30), then at 10-foot increments. Just indelible marker on the cloth, which so far has lasted a couple of years just fine.

Not a system that works in complete darkness, but I figure if it comes to that, I do have a headlamp.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by mrohr

Ok this is thread drift, but a windlass on a 24 foot boat? Hardly seems necessary...

Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the Dana 24. It's not your typical 24 foot trailer sailor--displacement close to 4 tons.

[Mimsy]

The most complicated method ever. Our Life with Ceol Mor: I'll Mark Your Chain Mister!
As much as it pains me to admit it, it actually works quite well and the ties hold up much better than I anticipated.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by Mimsy

The most complicated method ever.

Maybe my brain just works like his. In any case, this seems to me simple, ingenious, and extremely effective.

[Cotemar]

The simplest method for marking 8 Plait anchor rode that is going to be used hand over hand is Zip Ties threaded through the line. Simple, cheap, easy and accurate

No rocket science needed here, just a simple solution

[flash]

Wow, that's really clever. If I ever get an all chain rode...

[flash]

Well, she weighs 8000lbs. I have 33lb Spade, 30 feet of 5/16" chain, rode, we're talking over 60lbs to lift by hand which is doable but can get tiresome. It's not unusual to mount a windlass on this boat.

[Jimbo485]

The rode, chain and rope, has colour coded wire ties every 10 m. Each spot has 3 of them. I replace 2 or 3 individual wire ties each year.