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31-05-2013, 17:27
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Southern California
Boat: Chris Craft, Constellation 36'
Posts: 1
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Rope or Chain?
I'm installing new anchor and rode and trying to decide on rope or chain, any advise. I will be doing mostly off-shore boating and some island hopping.
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31-05-2013, 17:30
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: daytona beach florida
Boat: csy 37
Posts: 2,976
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Re: Rope or Chain?
chain.
rope is only for people who think they should have an anchor but don't ever expect to use it.
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31-05-2013, 17:39
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Texas - USA
Boat: Twin Otter de Havilland Floatplane
Posts: 1,838
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Re: Rope or Chain?
Anything for underwater usage must be metal; definitely chains. Mauritz
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31-05-2013, 17:42
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,479
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Not necessarily an either/or call. Depends on your intended use and venue. "Combination Rodes" (rope and chain) are common. For example, I use 100' of 3/8" chain backed up by 200' of 3/4" 3-strand nylon. Good combination for my purposes.
That said, its hard to go wrong w all chain if it suits your situation.
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31-05-2013, 17:51
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Punta De Mita
Boat: Vagabond 39 Hull # 1
Posts: 1,842
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Re: Rope or Chain?
If you're ever going to Mexico, all chain. 3 boats up on the rocks in La Cruz de Huanancaxtle this year, all with 50' of chain and then 3/4" rope.
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31-05-2013, 18:19
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#7
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CF Adviser
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: sausalito
Boat: 14 meter sloop
Posts: 7,260
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Re: Rope or Chain?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sww914
If you're ever going to Mexico, all chain. 3 boats up on the rocks in La Cruz de Huanancaxtle this year, all with 50' of chain and then 3/4" rope.
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The boat is a Chris Craft Constellation 36. That's a powerboat, probably from the late 1950s or early 1960s. Probably wooden--I don't really know when they went out of production.
Might that be a consideration?
__________________
cruising is entirely about showing up--in boat shoes.
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31-05-2013, 19:06
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,185
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Re: Rope or Chain?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bash
The boat is a Chris Craft Constellation 36. That's a powerboat, probably from the late 1950s or early 1960s. Probably wooden--I don't really know when they went out of production.
Might that be a consideration?
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If he's island hopping from Southern California it will probably be the Channel Islands. The further out ones are no joke, chain all the way for me.
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31-05-2013, 19:14
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: San Diego
Boat: Farrier f27
Posts: 704
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Re: Rope or Chain?
For chain to be effective, enough scope must be out to maintain a catenary. Shock loading the anchor by direct pull will overload the anchors holding ability.
The downside with rope/chain combo is the potential of chafe on the rope so it's use in coral is hazardous. I've been anchored with rope/chain in 9' seas. Proper rope provides tremendous elasticity in the anchoring system
A 5/1 scope in 60' is 300' of chain and that isn't much scope in anything but mild conditions.
My bottom line is that done well either can be effective and safe but each one has limitations under certain conditions.
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31-05-2013, 19:24
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Boat: Islander 36
Posts: 20
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Re: Rope or Chain?
The next go around, I'll go all chain. Had kite string with 100 feet of chain for my Islander 36. Never had an issue with dragging or fear of it...BUT while anchored in Chamela, Mexico ( see the story here) we had a pod of five dolphins rubbing on the chain to line splice and one curious fellow attempted to start un-splice the splice! In six months of sailing in Mexico I noticed a lot of wear on the line. Go chain.
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31-05-2013, 19:40
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#11
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Working in St Augustine
Boat: Woods Vardo 34 Cat
Posts: 3,865
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Re: Rope or Chain?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy
For chain to be effective, enough scope must be out to maintain a catenary. Shock loading the anchor by direct pull will overload the anchors holding ability.
The downside with rope/chain combo is the potential of chafe on the rope so it's use in coral is hazardous. I've been anchored with rope/chain in 9' seas. Proper rope provides tremendous elasticity in the anchoring system
A 5/1 scope in 60' is 300' of chain and that isn't much scope in anything but mild conditions.
My bottom line is that done well either can be effective and safe but each one has limitations under certain conditions.
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You actually need a lot less scope on really deep water as a ton of the chain never picks up off the bottom. You'd never use more than 150' of chain in a 50' anchorage unless it was a gale. Then you can always have a quick look over the bottom and see if its safe to use a bit more line. 180' of chain is really the max you need in the tropics. Maybe would carry more In high lats.
__________________
@mojomarine1
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31-05-2013, 19:49
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Boat: Prior boats: Transpac 49; DeFever 54
Posts: 2,874
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Re: Rope or Chain?
Boatman61 and rebel heart have it right, +1... 100% chain in my book... Phil
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31-05-2013, 19:50
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Key West
Boat: Westsail 32 and Herreshoff 28
Posts: 1,161
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Re: Rope or Chain?
How much does 150' of 3/8" weigh?
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31-05-2013, 19:55
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Key West
Boat: Westsail 32 and Herreshoff 28
Posts: 1,161
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Re: Rope or Chain?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rebel heart
If he's island hopping from Southern California it will probably be the Channel Islands. The further out ones are no joke, chain all the way for me.
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Rebel,
What is your chain? size? length?
2 anchors each on chain?
I have always had chain/rode combos but I have always cruised above soft seabeds.
I should consider 1 anchor on all chain in the future.
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31-05-2013, 19:55
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#15
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CF Adviser
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: sausalito
Boat: 14 meter sloop
Posts: 7,260
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Re: Rope or Chain?
Quote:
Originally Posted by endoftheroad
How much does 150' of 3/8" weigh?
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3/8" chain? On a boat that only displaces 8 tons?
__________________
cruising is entirely about showing up--in boat shoes.
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