Anchor Rode

jongolds · #1 10-02-2009, 04:00 PM

I'm looking for a new rode for my Tsunami.

Is anyone using 8 plait line and if so, how much can you fit in your locker. I'm looking at getting 2-300' of line plus 30' of chain. I'm wondering what I can fit and as I fine tune it, whether I'd be better off giving up rope length for chain length or vice versa.

fishhuntNC · #2 10-02-2009, 05:45 PM

How deep or where will you be using it?

jongolds · #3 10-02-2009, 06:15 PM

Mostly Long Island sound.

fishhuntNC · #4 10-02-2009, 06:49 PM

I meen if your going in the deep then alot of chain is manditory.But if your just going to fish inside then chains not that big of an issue just 6 or 8 feet will be fine.Then again I've never been in long island sound and I dont know what kind of water your anchoring in and youve probably got alot more tide(current)and harder bottom up there than our sand.For me just out in the boat or fishing inside or close to the beach 40 or 50 feet deep or less I get by fine with 120 feet of rope and 6 feet of chain.But if your offshore 50 to 150 4 hundred feet with at leat 15 feet of chain gets it done pretty well.I cant remember so someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I think when I took my test for uscg license they said you are supposed to use 3 times the amount of rode of the depth your anchoring in.May have even been five times the amount.

#5 10-02-2009, 09:20 PM

I believe you are correct - 3 to 1 rode to depth.

77SceptreOB · #6 10-02-2009, 09:54 PM

Ok, I'll bite.

What the heck is "rode" Do you mean "rope"?? Either we have some horrible typers or I need an updated nautical dictionary. What happened to rise to run ratio??

jongolds · #7 10-02-2009, 10:47 PM

Attach a rope or chain to an anchor and it's called the rode.

Up here we use a 7:1 rule of thumb. I can't beleive you can get away with less than half that down south.

At any rate, at less than 60 cents a foot, I'm not too worried about having too much rode. My only concern is having more than will fit in the compartment.

So is any one using 8 plait?

BigLew · #8 10-02-2009, 11:22 PM

I've got 300' of good quality 9/16s nylon twist with 20-25' of 3/8's chain. That is good for 40 feet of water in a substantial blow/curent/wave height condition. 7:1 is the traditional max holding power rode/depth ratio and SUBSTANTIAL sized chain only increases the system's holding power because it works as a very efficient sentinel. I have a Scepter (5000# wet)and would have NO problem increasing that to 500' if space were the only consideration. The limiting factor usually ends up being who or what is going to provide the lifting power to get that anchor+ chain+ WET rode back in the boat and how long is it going to take.

For me the answer was dictated when one of my good friends, who is 240# plus and very strong, slipped on a wet and boucing deck and did a real number on his knee. If it hadn't been him it would of been my son who at 165# was bench pressing 275+. I bought a windlass and have GLADLY never looked back. No reason to go up front when you don't want to.

I also carry a neat rig that uses a "fender" ball about 18" in diameter and a 5" stainless ring that will break the anchor loose and will lift the anchor, provided I have room to maneuver at moderate speeds. A great back up! There are some things on your boats that are survival systems - charts bearing compass and binoculars, PLANNING FOR THE WORST, good life jackets, adequate worst case anchoring systems, more than the minimum # flares, CURRENT Tow Boat US card, spare prop, extra alkaline batteries for the handheld VHF which can be used with BOTH rechargable and non-rechargables, etc.

Just my 2 cents.

fishhuntNC · #9 10-02-2009, 11:41 PM

That fender rig is a godsend for bottom fishing here saves your back.

jongolds · #10 10-03-2009, 10:06 AM

I was planning on 300' of 1/2" 8 plait line with 30' of 1/4" chain. It's supposed to take up less space than three strand and work well with the new windlass. Sounds like that should be a pretty good setup and should fit well enough in the locker. My fear in adding much more is having an inaquate drop out if the windlass. I hadn't planned on an anchor ball right away but feel like that can be added later if I want. They just tale up so much space.