Dumbest Anchor Rode questions

Filed under there are no stupid questions just stupid people....

I bought a new anchor rode for my 280 DA with a windlass. What is the best way to feed it into the anchor locker?

1) Through the anchor lock hatch remove the old then drop the new one in and thread the chain through the windlass from the bottom?

2) Remove the spindle from the windlass and just pull it through feeding it in from above, rope end first?

3) Use the windlass to pull it in, rope end first?

I know how ridiculously dumb this sounds and I'm pretty sure all three will work , I'm looking for the most efficient as well as one that would make sure there are no feeding issue when in us. Plus I don't want the really old guys at the marina to make jokes about it

I fed mine through the windless, tied the rope to the anchor point inside the locker and then let the windless do the work of taking the rope out of the box it came in all the way to the end and then attached the anchor.

Little Ducky said:

I fed mine through the windless, tied the rope to the anchor point inside the locker and then let the windless do the work of taking the rope out of the box it came in all the way to the end and then attached the anchor.

Click to expand...

Thanks It just seemed way too obvious .

Here's something to add to the mix, add a good high quality swivel to the anchor end of the rode. It will help with any twists. Be sure to add it to your maintain routine to check the swivel for tightness

Well I have been fighting with my windlass and rode most if the season . Reversing my rode helped but didn't solve this problem I was having my rode ball up from time to time . I finally bought some new line and spliced it to my chain .
Success my windlass is pulling it through nicely now . I wonder what the life expectancy of the anchor line is running through the windlass . My old one didn't really look all that bad. I am okbfor now and looking out for a deal on chain so next replacement will be all chain as others here have done .

I guess I should follow up on this....

I used the windlass to pay out old line, but the last 100 or so feet was a mess and kept jamming and twisting. The old was stiff as you can imagine. I assume it's the 2001 original line. I probably should've cut it and my loss and just pulled it out the hatch.

Feeding in the new however was a pleasure, I used the windlass to feed it in and it the 8 plait line is a dream. Went it without issue, pays out and in when using the anchor with zero problems. It's easier to tie it off on cleat after anchoring too.

totally worth the replacement. Thanks for the ideas guys!