Anchor Line ...

[Buccaneer]

So, I have 200 feet of 1/4" G4 on the 48MY. I'm mostly inside SF Bay, or in the Delta, and spend most the time anchored in mud (the Bay) or grass (the Delta). Yucky, sticky, mud. Slippery, tangly, grass. Then again, there is some coastal running I want to do that'll take me to 1/2 Moon Bay, Monterey and Pt Reyes (Drake's Beach), where ground conditions are rocks, sand and well, mud. And grass.

200 feet of chain doesn't feel like enough. Even if it is all chain. I'll be in too much depth and don't like the idea of only a 3 or 4 to 1 scope.

I was thinking to add another 200 feet - of line - behind the chain. My thinking was that I'd have a weight savings up front, and (let's not really think about this) if I needed to get out of dodge *really* quick, I could just cut the line
after tieing (sp?) a fender to the bitter end (to find and get it all back later).

Q1: Does this make sense?
Q2: How thick an anchor line to get?

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Any more investment in chain should be the "BB" type if you can get it. Same diameter, just heavier.

In your situation I don't see why adding nylon rhode at this point is going to deminish your holding abillity unless you plan to boat where anchorages are very deep with coral or rocks protruding.

Without calling on Chapmans or any authority on rhode size I would think that, in your case, 3/4" would be a minimum rhode size. Keep in mind that in rough conditions you will be deploying your #2 back-up anchor

Think of us as you drop the hook, sit back, and nurture your favorite elixir as the sun sets over that beautiful bridge.

 

[REBrueckner]

If you add chain, continue to use G4 (High Test)...1/4" G4 (Hi test) has about twice the working load limit (2600 vs 1300 lbs) of BBB and weighs just a bit MORE per foot (79 vs .76 lbs/ft). And you know it fits your gypsy!!

It's impossible to answer your question on overall rode length without knowing in what depths you want to anchor. 200 feet should be good for 50 foot or so maximum depths...you can always tie an additional length of rope to chain if required.

The catenary (curve) of chain is only useful when present;when chain is stretched tight it has no inherent advantage over nylon. Nylon rope is better at surge protection since it stretches; chain has superior abrasion resistance, especially at the bottom. In storm conditions, always keep out of waves...they rip anchors and/or tackle as crests pass.

I use G4 5/16" with 3900 lbs WLL on my 48 YF. It's held in 75 MPH winds. I carry 250 ft. I have 250 feet of 5/8" nylon line spare in a separate portion of my rope/chain locker.

A 5/8" three stand nylon line has a tensile strength of over 10,000 lbs...plenty for use with your chain. Three to one scope or so with chain should be enough except in really bad storms. If you want your windlass to work it, get a stiff grade...soft lay nylon (dock lines) doesn't work in Gypsies. 3/4" line likely won't even fit into 1/4" chain, I could barely fit 5/8" rope to my 5/16" chain...what sizes ROPE does your gypsy handle? Mine is rated for 9/16" or 5/8" . But it does NOT grip like chain links.

Of more concern is your type anchor: It's not typical for the best holding anchor in mud to also be the best in grass...For mud a Danforth type works well, in grass a plow (Delta Fastset or CQR). Pick your anchor type to suit bottom conditions.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I think you would be fine with 5/8" nylon. You might look at a nylon line called "Brait"- it coils better and stows smaller than three-strand nylon line. I think it is made by Yale Cordage. It is also stronger than three-strand. Some of this depends on the windlass gypsy, if you have one, doesn't it? 3/4" may be too large, as he noted above.

 

[MicroKap]

When anchoring, the normal ratio for "all line rode" is 7:1, chain is 5:1. Don't forget to take into account the depth you see on your depth sounder is from the transducer down unless you have it offset. Now add the 3-5 feet to the surface of the water, now add the distance from the surface of the water to the anchor roller and you've just added another 5-7 feet. Based on the ratios above, you're going to have to anchor in water much less than 50 feet in order to be secure if you have the correct anchor deployed.

50 feet of water on the depth sounder from transducer
3 feet of draft
5 feet of freeboard to anchor roller

406 feet of line
290 feet of chain


This is what we teach in the Power Squadron all the time. We understand that sometimes it's necessary to have a shorter rode in order to stay anchored in a tight spot for a short period of time, but anyway you look at it, you must have the proper ratio out in order to get the best holding power for your anchor to maintain the proper angle to stay put.

Personally, I carry 600 feet of line with 25' of chain. I'm anchoring mostly in sand and mud.

 

[bobk]

OK, I guess I'm chicken, or conservative. I tossed the 5/16" BBB chain on my 48MY when I got it and replaced it with 3/8" 4G. Just because I have dumbly anchored all night at the end of an eight mile fetch in winds that shut down the Alligator River bridge. Won't do that again, but the heavy Supermax and chain make for a better night's sleep. Here on the right coast, 200' of chain has been all we ever needed, but some 3/4" three strand twist would make a good addition if you are in deep anchorages.

Bob

 

[Buccaneer]

I've both a plough and danforth. Danforth is the 2nd-ary.

Average anchoring depth 30 feet. + 7 = 37; X 3 = 148 feet at 4 to 1 scope.
So, if I go to 40 feet (depth) + 7 X 3, I'm at 188.

I'd like a surplus. Adding chain is, I understand, problematic. Adding line can provide for surge abatement; and "cut loose" ability.

The 200' of line is used for a lunch hook, or a second set.

At least that was my thinking.

I know the 1/4 G4 is a little light, and in a perfect world I'd have 5/8 G4. But the world isn't perfect, adn I'm making due with what I got -- for now.

The consensus is 3/4 3-strand line added to the end of the chain?

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have 200' of 3/8"HT chain and another 300' of 3/4" twist. I have never coupled the line to the chain, but I could if it was needed. I keep my Danforth on the chain and an FX55 Fortress in a bag as a second anchor. As long as you have a few options, you should be able to anchor in most conditions. The problem comes when you have only one anchor or rode and you have a failure of some sort. Backups are always a good thing on a boat.

 

[Nonchalant1]

Yes, 3/4 three strand twist nylon line is fine. our 3/8 chain has a breaking strength of 16,000 lbs and 3/4 rops has a breaking strength of 14,000 lbs. both of which are probaby higher strength than you shackle, unless you have a huge shackle.

There is no inherent advantage to adding more chain. In fact, adding rope will give you shock absorbing qualities in case of storm loads, which can stretch a chain tight so it has no more give and breaks things. Nylon 3 strand twist can almost double in length when it is stretched above working loads and this reduces shock loads to manageable tensions. In large waves or storm loads, you need 7 to 1 scope anyhow, so you can get some rope out to take the shock while the chain helps keep the anchor dug in.

Doug