Anchor rode sugestions

[BearlyFunctioning]

I'm looking for a three strand (to keep cost down) anchor line that is easy to handle and lays nicely in the locker.

With ME being the windlass for an anticipated rode of 300ft 1/2" nylon, 30ft of 1/4" G4/Hi-test, and a 25lb cast fluke anchor, I don't want to fight the line.

I bought a store branded rode that I returned only because it ended up being too short for my needs, but the line would have worked nicely. Found a no-name rode for cheep, with my length requirements, and found out what bad line is all about. The rigged 22.5ft boat weighs about 5500lb, with a large wind profile. Anchoring conditions are a night hook in up to 45ft deep, 30mph wind on lakes. large anchor locker means plait isn't needed for space savings. I'd like to get a rode that could be used with a windlass in the future. A rode package (line and chain) is what I'd like to find.

Anyone's personal experience, good and bad, that would help point me in the right direction would be appreciated.

 

[JoLin]

I'd like to get a rode that could be used with a windlass in the future. A rode package (line and chain) is what I'd like to find.

A standard rode package will have a shackle spliced onto the end of the rope that's used to attach the rope to the chain. That won't work with a windlass- a windlass requires a 'chain splice' of rope directly to chain, as a shackle won't pass through the windlass. If you buy your standard rode package it'll need to be modified later by cutting off the shackle and making a chain splice in its place.

Certain windlasses perform better with certain types of line (twisted, 6 plait, 8 plait, etc), so you might want to consider buying the rode from the manufacturer of whatever windlass you plan to buy. Otherwise, there's no guarantee that the anchor rode you buy now will work well with the windlass you buy later. You may well find that it slips or keeps jamming as you try to raise it.

I don't have any 'cheap' recommendations. I ordered mine from GOOD when I ordered my windlass.

My .02

 

[alldodge]

+1 agree, no cheap way with this one. The winless will be the deciding factor. The 3 strand could work but it will need more anchor locked depth to allow it to fall, bit stiffer. The 6 and 8 plait rode is more flexible and falls freely. Also 1/2 nylon 3 strand only has 704 lb working load, 8 plait is 1660 lb

 

[Mischief Managed]

I got my 250', 1/2" diameter nylon 3-strand with 15 feet of A4 chain spliced to it directly (what my windlass needs) rode on Ebay. Was not too expensive.

 

[BearlyFunctioning]

Cheep is not my goal, already did that and was dissatisfied. Good quality three strand that is already spliced to the chain is what I'm after.

Just trying to keep cost down by not going with plait, I believe my locker has enough height to go with three strand. I'm looking for names of suppliers of known good quality line that would be able to supply my rode in the 300ft range. If someone has personal experience good and bad, that would help my search. Thanks.

 

[JoLin]

New England Ropes

 

[Scott Danforth]

anchoring.com

 

[gddavid]

It sounds like you already have your anchor but if you are concerned the work you do as a windlass and cheap isn't your goal, I would recommend the fortress anchors. You can save 15+ pounds of gear you have to raise or offset the weight savings to add more chain which will reduce the amount of scope you will need.