Rode storage

[Tom1Tom]

My "new to me" 22' Cruiser will be in the water this week here in Alaska. I am using 400' of 1/2" rode and 20' of chain. I'm curious if on deck storage is preferable to below deck. I will not be using a windless. Any photos would be helpful.

[T.R. Bauer]

I put mine in a milk crate on the deck between the hatch and the bow and it work fine and fits fine for mine. I have three times the chain and 300 feet of rode so it is a bit different. I actually really like it there - no smell!

[hardee]

[WeekiTiki]

Wow! Got 200 feet of rode and six foot of chain :lol

But yea, would think more chain if I was anchoring in the Pacific at any depth.

Had to order a tiny plastic float to mark my anchor and pull it straight up...

last time out solo had one helluva time pulling in the anchor in heavy seas

and that was in six foot depth

Got a price on 1/4" G7 chain but can't buy less than 100 LF wholesale

Anybody want to split some? Probably cost as much to ship as what you'd save

[colbysmith]

I sure would hate to have to pull that 400' of rode by hand! But my windlass has made a whimp of me. lol.

[Fishcatcher907]

[thataway]

Here is the problem with 400' of rode: threading it down thru the deck pipe into the chain locker. You also want to put some type of restraining system to keep the rode from spilling over onto the bunk.. I used Sunbrella Canvas, bolted at the bottom to the fiberglass lip, and with a 1/2" dowel thru a tube in the top of the sunbrella and tied to each side with a clip bolted on one of the legs of the bow pulpit:

It Is much faster and easier to put the rode into a plastic milk crate, or 5 gallon bucket, and coil the line as it falls, Also faster to deploy. (Always secure the bitter end of the line to some thing solid!). A crate allows the line to dry out faster. You often don't want foul smelling mud in the V berth area.

If you are young and healthy--then hauling the anchor rode up by hand is possible. But it may lead to back issues later in life. In the long run the windlass is much easier for us old folks. Also the 8 plait line stores in less than half the space of the 3 strand nylon line.

[T.R. Bauer]

An anchor retrieval system works well too with the float if you have room to maneuver in the anchorage.

[bridma]

Recommendations for length of chain is one and half times the length of the boat minimum. So for a 22 C-Dory it is 33ft. Most folks go with around 50ft in length or a bit more.

Martin.

[C-Val]

For those of you who are using a milk crate like me to put the rode in,(works great) how have you secured it? Is the milk crate bolted through the deck or is it like mine where it is held in place with straps going to the bow rail

thanks
David and Val

[ssobol]

I anchor in relatively shallow water. My rode is just laid on the fore deck with the chain on top when it comes up. When it is dry it goes into the locker.

[breausaw]

[hardee]

Any wave that can pitch stuff off of the shelf or counter in the cabin could certainly pitch the anchor and chain off the foredeck, and that would get the rode following it. Could happen, and probably not when you want to set an anchor. Milk carton, wooden box, or what ever; I would secure that ground tackle somehow and secure the container.

Harvey
SleepyC

[breausaw]