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Old 31-05-2013, 17:27   #1
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Cool 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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Old 31-05-2013, 17:30   #2
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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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Old 31-05-2013, 17:38   #3
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pirate Re: Rope or Chain?

Chain... with rope snubber... its quieter..
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Old 31-05-2013, 17:39   #4
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Re: Rope or Chain?

Anything for underwater usage must be metal; definitely chains. Mauritz
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Old 31-05-2013, 17:42   #5
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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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Old 31-05-2013, 17:51   #6
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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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Old 31-05-2013, 18:19   #7
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Re: Rope or Chain?

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Originally Posted by sww914 View Post
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.
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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Old 31-05-2013, 19:06   #8
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Re: Rope or Chain?

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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?
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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Old 31-05-2013, 19:14   #9
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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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Old 31-05-2013, 19:24   #10
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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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Old 31-05-2013, 19:40   #11
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Re: Rope or Chain?

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Originally Posted by Randy View Post
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.
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.
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Old 31-05-2013, 19:49   #12
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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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Old 31-05-2013, 19:50   #13
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Re: Rope or Chain?

How much does 150' of 3/8" weigh?
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Old 31-05-2013, 19:55   #14
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Re: Rope or Chain?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rebel heart View Post
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.

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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Old 31-05-2013, 19:55   #15
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Re: Rope or Chain?

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Originally Posted by endoftheroad View Post
How much does 150' of 3/8" weigh?
3/8" chain? On a boat that only displaces 8 tons?
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