Chain/Rope rode? Hows that supposed to work?

[CrispyCringle]

We've had our boat for a little over a year now, and never needed more than 140' of chain when anchoring. The boat has 150' of chain and 150' of 8-strand rope. 44' mono.

Last time we anchored my wife went past the 150' of chain by accident. I expected the rope to go into the gypsy and work as normal. But we couldn't get it to wind back in using the windlass. It may not have had enough tension on it since we hadn't set the anchor yet. Not only that, but i think one person would have to be below to pull the rope into the locker because it doesn't seem to have the weight to lead itself in like chain.

Is this always a pain, or is my setup flawed? Id like to get this worked out before I get in a pinch. Or, just go all chain.

(Sorry for the sideways photos. Tried rotating and they always come up wrong. )

[tenchiki]

It's hard to tell from the photos, but that doesn't look like a rope/chain gypsy, but a chain-only one.

[CrispyCringle]

No, it’s made for chain and rope. I’ve checked the part number with Lofrans. It’s made for 5/16 chain and 5/8” max rope.

[SailingHarmonie]

Just go with chain.

Your boat is not weight sensitive. There are a lot of good reasons it is the standard approach. Even if you work out how to use the gypsy, you will still very likely have all kinds of trouble with the rope stowing in the locker. We carry 100 meters of chain, and wouldn't have anything else.

Rope on a vertical windless is trouble waiting to happen since you can't see a clog happening until things are just a total mess.

[JPA Cate]

You can make up a pennant to hook onto and hold the chain to a cleat, taking the strain off the rope, with enough tail on the chain to shove the rope rode into the hawse hole, and lay it into the gypsy.

Making the changeover is always a little fraught, but you get better with practice.

In your present situations, where you are not having to anchor in deep water, why not just deploy as much chain as you need, put a snubber on, and call it good? Just keep the pennant handy for when you need it.

Ann

[ChrisJHC]

That also looks like an unusual rope to use for your anchor.
Most people use nylon rope that has lots of purchase for your windlass (plus it stretches which is what you want for shock-absorption).

Your rope looks like it is relatively slippery which probably isn’t helping.

[CrispyCringle]

Originally Posted by ChrisJHC

That also looks like an unusual rope to use for your anchor.
Most people use nylon rope that has lots of purchase for your windlass (plus it stretches which is what you want for shock-absorption).

Your rope looks like it is relatively slippery which probably isn’t helping.

Thanks for the comments. I wish I could add a note to the original post. The pics were taken in my slip, so the yellow line is my shore power cord, and the red line is just a small safety line for the anchor.

The actual rope rode is 5/8" plait 8 strand, which is not visible in the pics. According to Lofrans, the gypsy is made for 9/16"-5/8" rope.

[Tupaia]

You need 3 strand rope for use in a rope/chain gipsy, 8 plait will not work.

[Senojev]

Are you using the gypsy or the drum for retrieving rope rode? My Lofrens manual indicates that drum is used for rope just like you would for a sail which with several wraps.

[CrispyCringle]

Im using the gypsy. There is no way to lead the rope to the drum by the way the windlass is designed. I think the drum is for use with a secondary anchor.

I guess a question I have with folks using chain and rope rode:

-Are you happy with it?

-Is it finicky compared to all chain?

My current chain is in really good shape. I dont think the previous owners anchored very often. So, as I weigh the options of 1) connecting more chain and ditching the rope rode, or 2) buying 300' of new chain or 3) experimenting more with the current set up, because according to the manufacturer, it should work.

Although as mentioned, I think the 3 strand would grip the gypse a little better, even tho the 8 strand has other advantages, and it is listed as approved by the manufacturer. Im concerned about using a chain connecting link because of strength issues.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

You need 3 strand rope for use in a rope/chain gipsy, 8 plait will not work.

That is not inherently true. The rope/chain gypsy on my Maxwell windlass pulls 8 plait just fine. Double braid won't work though as you can't make a suitable splice to the chain.

[Goodxcharly]

I have the same set up as you and it works fine though chain would be easier in relation to the windlass. Also a tighter swing area for close anchorages.
I have a open locker and just let the rode lay where it falls randomly stepping on the pile to compress for more room. Chain on top of that. Works fine with minimal tangles.
I do like the cushion of 3/strand verses chain/snubber.
Chain is just more bomber when you take all the different aspects of anchoring in.
You have abit better set up with 150’ of chain for tight anchorages.

[Jammer]

It appears to me that the stripper may be missing from your windlass. Rope will not come off the chainwheel reliably without it.

I have 8 plait spliced to the end of my 5/16" HT chain. I have a Lofrans Cayman. It seems to work OK but I have not used it in deep enough water to put a heavy load on the rope as it goes through the windlass.

[Cheechako]

On most boats i've had 150-200 of chain with 3 strand of 100-150 behind it. On the rare occasion I end up with some 3 strand out, I just pull it in by hand and stuff it down the hawse until I'm at the chain. This is usually done by nudging the boat forward with slack rope. 3 strand usually stiffens up pretty well over time.
In a pinch when the wind is blowing I have used the 3 strand on the windlass drum to help. It's a bit dicey but works.
If it's a closed hawse pipe you'll have to have someone below.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Jammer

I have 8 plait spliced to the end of my 5/16" HT chain. I have a Lofrans Cayman. It seems to work OK but I have not used it in deep enough water to put a heavy load on the rope as it goes through the windlass.

Interestingly, with my Maxwell windlass, the rope/chain transition happens better with more load. The smoothest transition I've ever had on retrieval was in 120 feet of water, so I had all 90 feet of chain plus the anchor (so just shy of 170 lbs) hanging when it pulled the splice through.