Old anchor line.

[imported_harry]

Is there any way to rejuvenate some old anchor line? Mine has gotten very stiff and it is very difficult to coil. It wont go back in the anchor locker in any sort of neat manner. Is there a way of making it plyable again?

 

[troypolla]

Re: Old anchor line.

Take old line and remove it from the boat, and put into the trunk of your car. Drive to the nearest marine store, and ask the guy behind the counter where he keeps the anchor rope. Buy the length you need, then bring it home and put it on the boat in the same manner as the old rope was removed.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Old anchor line.

Run it through a cylce in the wash machine with fabric softener. It works....

 

[arthat]

Re: Old anchor line.

rickdb1boat,

I have heard of this before. I'm curious though, does the line maintain it's strength? How often can one use this method and what types of line does this work on?

I would probably do as suggested by troypolla without more info on line strength and integrity.

Thanks for your input.

Successful Boating,

Art

 

[Bondo]

Re: Old anchor line.

I'm with troypolla,.........

I had a boat Break Free of it's moorings last summer in a Real Bad Blow........

New Lines All round shortly there after......

Salt is No issue up here on the Sweetwater Sea,....
I think Sun Rot stiffened,+ weakened them............

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Old anchor line.

if i wre moring i go new rope, just anchoring on board, i would soak it in fresh water, rinse and soak again. the salt make them hard. if you go on a dive cruise everything that comes back aboard gets washed with fresh water.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Old anchor line.

The washing machine method does not work well with me.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Old anchor line.

Troypolla ;
Does the Goodwill store carry used anchor rode. I'm on fixed income. BTW, where's my sign?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Old anchor line.

Check the rode for wear and fraying! If any noted, cut it up for use as dock and spring lines. Buy a new length of anchor rode.

If it is nylon as it should be, it is relatively trouble free, but even Nylon has a safe use life and it is subject to UV degradation.

Better safe than sorry.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Old anchor line.

Inspect it first, obviously.

Then put it in the washing machine to soak with a large dose of fabric softener. I used about triple the normal amount, and ran the soak cycle which fills it up and leaves it that way for a few hours. Obviously, do not heat-dry the line, but take it out and lay it in the sun to dry naturally.

This will not affect the strength. The softener doesn't actually penetrate the nylon strands, but essentially lubricates them. The line is softer than new and has a fresh scent to boot.

 

[tommays]

Re: Old anchor line.

I would ask how old as for me its a saftey item

Haveing gotten lost once at night with no way to phone home it saved my bacon till the sun came up


Tommays

 

[Pony]

Re: Old anchor line.

To me.....some new anchor line is cheaper than a new anchor. having lost more than a couple due to old....not even fraying yet....line, I replace mine ever few years and store it inside during the winter.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Old anchor line.

Being on a fixed income is all the more reason to maintain good ground tackle and avoid the expensive accidents.

In the long run, keeping your boat and associated gear in safe running condition is the cheapest way to go.

Put your money where it will give the most return--preventing unexpected repairs and accidents.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Old anchor line.

Frank, that's my opinion also. I was being facitious with my post. The cost of an achor over the safety and cost of new line...come on. Old rode makes good docklines or gifts to the Boy Scouts troops.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Old anchor line.

I misread you. That's the trouble with written posts. We don't have the 60 or 90% (whatever it is) of non-verbal cues to guide us.