Chuck, Avoiding chain on anchor rode means you’re giving up one of the most important aspects of the rode: the catenary effect of shock absorbsion. By allowing some of the chain to lie on the ocean (or lake) bottom, the effort that it takes to lift the chain off the bottom before the line goes taut, serves as a shock absorber to wave, wind, or current. Also, using chain on an anchor rode means you can get by with a somewhat shorter scope in a crowded anchorage without worrying that your anchor will break free.
Using only rope between your clean and the anchor allows for very little catenary and as such, your cleat and the anchor rope is bearing the entire shock load of the boat all the time. If I had only rope on my anchor line, I would make sure I had a proper anchor rode snubber, rubber or otherwise, to manage those loads. On Half Magic, we use 25’ of 5/16” Galv BBB chain spliced to 200’ of 5/8” NovEight Novabraid 8 plait rope with a 25lb CQR anchor (which is probably a bit light for the size and weight of the boat). We rarely anchor in more than 20’ of water where we sail although we might rethink that if we decide to cruise up in Maine or Nova Scotia. Chuck Gilchrest S/V Half Magic 1983 Landfall 35 Padanaram, MA _______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you like what we do, please help us pay for our costs by donating. All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
