What Happens When Your Rode Wraps Around a Rock

[sww914]

I started another thread a few weeks ago about anchor rodes. As a result of that thread we decided on all chain. A few days later a Cal 29 ended up on the rocks and we helped rescue them. I'm really glad we bought chain. You can see the pics and read the story that my wife wrote on our blog. Here's a link to the story- Duct Tape On The Rocks » Landfall Voyages

[sailorboy1]

what a story

just another reason that if you are cruising and depend on the anchor all chain is the only smart choice

PS - maybe Duct Tape isn't a great boat name

[MarkJ]

Damn, can't read the blog. I am using my iPad... A toys for brainless Internet children... And the font on the blog must be meant for people with a big screen, or proper computer.

Rope rode is a waste of money. All chain is the only way to go.

And lots of it!


Mark

[Kettlewell]

Rope rode is a waste of money. All chain is the only way to go.

It depends on where you're anchoring. You can do a lot of cruising for thousands of miles up and down the East Coast of the USA without ever encountering a rock on the bottom, until you get to Maine. And, just to be on the safe side with 50 or 100 feet of chain you can basically be on all chain rode nearly all the time because the anchorages are shallow. Even in the Bahamas. So, yes, chain is important in some cruising areas--not so much in others.

[sww914]

Mark I was able to read it on our ipad last night. I'll have my wife see if there's something funky with the code when she returns.

[model 10]

Seems like if you are somebody that does not have all chain, you might be the one who would say that rope is OK. Does not make it true though.

[Kettlewell]

So, here's a question--how does Dyneema do in very rocky situations? Just curious because I think oil rigs use it a lot, but I don't think they tend to anchor in rocky places.

Found an earlier thread on it that seems to conclude it isn't all that cut resistant when under load. Scratch that idea...

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

So, here's a question--how does Dyneema do in very rocky situations? Just curious because I think oil rigs use it a lot, but I don't think they tend to anchor in rocky places.

Found an earlier thread on it that seems to conclude it isn't all that cut resistant when under load. Scratch that idea...

Whatever rode you are using, if it ain't chain or wire, you have to keep it off the rocks. After we almost lost our boat at Pitcairn due to the rode chafing, we were careful not to use more rode than the distance to the nearest rocks/coral. After that cruise we went to all chain.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Guy

Seems like if you are somebody that does not have all chain, you might be the one who would say that rope is OK. Does not make it true though.

Boxers vs. briefs; just can't discuss it rationally....

I've had both (effectively all chain now) and the ONLY reason I prefer all chain for the Chesapeake Bay is that it fits the windlass better. It is certainly jerkier in gusty conditions and I believe makes dragging in soft mud more problematic (the jerking), heavier in the bow, and in my opinion makes "feeling" the anchor in more difficult. Having used both and being in a sound position to judge, I believe (and could easily prove mathematically) that the same mass and money spent on a larger anchor is far wiser than that spent on chain. In 20 years I've never gotten so much as a scratch on the rode, though that probably includes only 300 sets or so.

However, if there were a rocky bottom I would feel differently. Most anchorage grounding on the Bay occur when an anchor slowly glides through the bottom and the boat stops when it hits thin water, generally without damage. Horses for courses.

My compromises? A modern anchor, a long stretchy bridle, and I only carry 100 feet of chain backed by line. Because the Bay is shallow in the harbors, I've not had to use the line portion in 5 years with this specific boat.

So I think there is more than one answer.

[Kettlewell]

In the Chesapeake chain brings a lot more muck onboard too.

[sww914]

Like I said-
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1205615

[Jim Cate]

Remember that naturally occurring rocks and coral are not the only things that can cut a rope rode. Many anchorages are foul with discarded stuff and wrecks and such, even in areas that are generally benign.

I recall that in Monterey Bay some years ago two yachts went on the beach within a short period of time, both with parted nylon rodes. A local diver, hoping to salvage the missing anchors discovered a piece of steel with a sharp edge that had become embedded in the sand, sticking straight up. Don't remember if he left it there (future salvage?) or if he removed it like a good chap! Point is that even in areas "known" to be safe for rope there can be hazards.

To me it is a no brainer to use chain if you are cruising... or any other time that you will be anchoring for more than a lunch stop.

Cheers,

Jim

[Finistere]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Damn, can't read the blog. I am using my iPad... A toys for brainless Internet children... And the font on the blog must be meant for people with a big screen, or proper computer.

Rope rode is a waste of money. All chain is the only way to go.

And lots of it!

Mark

Click on 'more...' And you will find various Forum options including Font size.

[daddle]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

To me it is a no brainer to use chain if you are cruising...

But those of us with a brain know to not let the rode extend to the bottom.