Anchor Rode - Page 3

BigLew · #21 10-04-2009, 10:30 PM

Bushwacker is right. The "old indian" trick is not a guarentee. If you get your anchor hung up in rock, coral or similar situation it very well might not work. The achor really needs to swing or twist in the bottom some as it breaks free. But, I got my anchor hooked up on an old cable here in the river and my windlass bent that main anchor shank inot a crecent moon before it broke loose! Twenty two or seven pound anchor).

I then made what I think was a good decision and spent the extra money and bought an aluminum Guardian that is about 60% of the weight for the comparable holding power and picked up a used 11 lb. lunch hook with 150" feet of 1/2 inch with some 1/4" chain for "light"/ shallow anchoring. It will also be a "extra" if I feel the need. I've got about 150' of 1/2" braid as general purpose line on board as well.

Haven't needed it that often but it has come in handy on occassion. Even lent it out to a guy that was in need. Yes, I took his phone# and reg #'s, but didn't need them. He looked up my address and delivered the rope at 11 that night along with a cold six! What a guy!!

BigLew · #22 10-04-2009, 10:57 PM

Hey, 1973Tsunami.

I wasn't familiar with the 8 plait rope you referred to by name when you first mentioned it. I did read that it should be soaked before used though to lubricate it; unusual! I looked it up and did a little reading. It looks like some really neat stuff, thanks. I suspect that the fact that it truly lies limp and does not have the stiffness (propensity to kink and tangle) of quality 3 twisted nylon makes it ideal for use with a windlass (and other purposes as well).

I suspect I will likely replace my twisted with it when the time comes, which shouldn't be but a few years. What have you found to be the cost differential and how or who do you get to splice it? I can splice twisted and braided, but have no idea how to begin to splice 8 plait! It looks like it would be a bear to do!

Ryank · #23 10-05-2009, 08:45 AM

I switched to the 8 plait line and am very happy with how easy it works in my windlass. There is plenty of room for it in the anchor locker for the 350 ft I use and 35' of ' no problem but even with 350 the big issue I have is the windlass lays it in a pile in the center of the locker floor and at some point it stacks up and hits the roof binding the flow of line down and will jam the windlass if you do not have someone go down and move the line out towards the sides. If someone has a miracle cure for this ( besides just leaving the door open so it can go into the cabin,) I would be greatful.

Bushwacker · #24 10-05-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

. . .the big issue I have is the windlass lays it in a pile in the center of the locker floor and at some point it stacks up and hits the roof binding the flow of line down and will jam the windlass if you do not have someone go down and move the line out towards the sides. If someone has a miracle cure for this ( besides just leaving the door open so it can go into the cabin,) I would be greatful.

The key is to make sure the line feed is centered over anchor locker. I don't have a windlass but had my hawse pipe located too far forward and had same problem. Line was piling up on flare of hull. Pipe was big enough that I could reach down thru it an move the line but still a pain. I moved it aft about 12" when I installed anchor roller bracket and it works great now, although I had to install mesh over anchor locker to keep line from falling out into cabin when running.

jongolds · #25 10-05-2009, 11:37 AM

I've never used the 8 plait. I just got a little advice that as long as you're buying new rope, with a windlass, you'll be happier with the 8 plait. Doing a little reading on the topic seems to confirm that. Cost is definitely a consideration though. After looking for weeks for a good deal I found this place.
http://www.secosouth.com/SFNT.html
I'll be ordering from them soon.

Would a traffic cone or something similar help spread the line out in the anchor locker?