All chain rode for CD?

[Doryman]

I seem to recall someone posting, in the last couple of weeks, that they had an all-chain rode for their anchor. It was not this thread about the R25.

Does anyone else remember this or am I just having a senior moment?

Thanks,
Warren

[mikeporterinmd]

It does come up every once in a while. Cutter Marine in Maryland used to rig at least some of their boats that way. I had an all chain rode when I bought the boat.

Mike

[Sea Wolf]

Warren-

I have mentioned that I have an all-chain rode on my CD-22 many times.

Actually, it's 100 feet of 1/4" GS40 High Test chain followed by 150 feet of 1/2" three-strand Nylon rope, the rope being for more traditional anchoring situations where more scope is possible.

However, since I usually anchor in a steep-sided inland lake, I can't get the desired 5:1 or more scope ratios recommended for anchoring, so the solution that works is to use an lot of chain and an oversized anchor to hook up as quickly as possible and to minimize the rode length so as to keep the boat off the shore in narrow inlets.

To that end, the 100 foot of chain weighs 74 lbs, and the Fortress FX-16, while only weighing 10 lbs, is size-intended for 33-38 foot boats.

One real positive advantage of the all-chain rode is that the boat "searches" or wanders much less at anchor in the shifting winds as compared to how much it would with a long and light section of rope and a short chain. This is particularly advantageous in those narrow anchorages.

Another advantage is that the windlass gypsy and the chain have ZERO SLIPPAGE as compared with using rope. Essentially, you have a chain and a sprocket, not a friction tooth and rope arrangement.

The chain also brings less water aboard when it is retrieved as compared to a saturated rope.

I originally had some problems passing the larger diameter rope to chain splice with my Quick Aries 500 windlass, but solved the problem by inventing my own splicing technique.

Using 100 feet of chain up front enables me to anchor most all the time without getting down to the rope section.

It's been a great addition to my boat, and helped solve several problems at once, and additionally helps to hold the bow down in chop, necessitating less gas wasting bow down trim with the motor.

This system works for me where I boat, but, as they say, YMMV!

Joe.

[Doryman]

Thanks Mike and Joe. I was thinking about having more chain to make it easier to snub. Not sure that it actually would, but that was the idea. Joe, thanks for explaining the rationale behind your choice.

Warren

[McMike]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That's awesome! I've never noticed your sig before, well done.

Oh, as a "newbie aside," what is "YMMV"?

[Sea Wolf]

[McMike]

[BaseCampAnne]

Joe,
Do you have trouble with your chain fitting in the box? I've heard that more chain, esp. lots of chain could not possibly fit, let alone with line.

Does anyone else have that much chain or more and does yours fit?

Thanks,
Anne

[Sea Wolf]