What is Too Much Rode?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I have one other boat in the anchorage with me, and I anchored about 100 yards from him. He is ahead of me, so I can not drag into him, and there will be no wind shift for 24 hours.
I am all chain.
I have seen Maine Sails dissertation, I think I have read almost all of his knowledge base, only things I have not read don’t apply to me cause I don’t have that engine etc.

I know that at about 7 to 1 there is a point of diminishing returns, but is there a point to where your actually hurting by putting out more?

Letting out that last 25 seems to have stopped the dragging, but maybe the first 25 did, the second was I guess cause I’m paranoid.

Diminishing returns only with respect to the theoretical angle of pull. Otherwise, the more the better. The weight of chain out, and friction on the bottom, is a very good thing. If you have swing room, and if you won't be interfering with others, put it all out.

[Delfin]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I’m sitting in 25 kts of wind, anchored in mud. I did set the anchor, but only backed down at 1500 RPM, cause it’s mud.
25,000 lb boat, 40 kg Rocna, eight feet of water.
Initially put out about 50 ft of chain, started to drag after an hour or so, out out another 25, I think I still drug, so put out out another 25’.
Total 100’ of chain in eight ft of water, seems excessive, but want to stop the drag.
Brings up the question though, I’m sure there is a point of dimensioning returns, but at what scope does it become counter productive or does it? Meaning is there a point that more equals less holding?

I don't see how it could. More chain just means more weight to drag, and more friction of the chain on the seabed, meaning more holding. Not wanting to start an anchor debate, but IMHO, an anchor with a roll bar is more prone to continuing to drag once it starts, and with 12:1 score out but still dragging you are either anchoring in a sea bed over bedrock, or crud has built up on the roof bar, tilting it back and greatly reducing its holding.