Anchor rode pre treatment?

beachcombersc

beachcombersc

New Member
May 7, 2007
576
Charleston S.C.
Boat Info
1999 3870
Engines
3116TA
I have just ordered new 200' rode for the front windlass. I needed to redo the splice at the chain/rode and the old rode was too stiff to get it right. I have 1/2" line and its very bright white. I would like to keep the clean look as long as possible. What if anything can I do to pretreat this one before it going into our silt filled waters? Scotchguard??? I was also thinking of just wetting it with fresh water before dropping the line in. Any help before this thing gets wet would be great!!!
 
Here is an excerpt from Lewmar's website about caring for the rode. No reason you could not soak it now although I am not sure it would help to keep it bright white.




CHOOSING AN ANCHOR RODE
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Lewmar USA Premium 3-Strand Medium Lay Nylon Rope

· Lewmar’s 3-strand rope is an economical choice for your windlass rode. Keep in mind, the windlass does not stow the rode in the anchor locker - gravity does. So make sure you have ample depth and volume in your anchor locker to accommodate the length of rode you have chosen.

· There are several grades of 3-Strand nylon rope available. Always use a premium windlass grade rope in a windlass. Do not use economy 3-strands; the lay can be softer or harder than a proper windlass grade medium lay. When using ½" 3-strand nylon, double check that diameter is ½" (.500) in diameter or slightly larger. Economy 3-strands are generally less than ½" in diameter which work poorly in ½" gypsies.
· 3-Strand is typically 20-30% less expensive than premium plaited anchor line.
· 3-Strand line, when used in salt water, will stiffen over time. It can be soaked in a bucket of fresh water and fabric softener overnight (the longer the better) to bring back a more flexible condition. If this does not yield acceptable results, it should be replaced.
· Please see USA Retail Price Sheet for all rode configurations and pricing
 
Before you install it, was the original 1/2"? If not, it may not work too well in the gypsy. And, judging from our relatively weak springs, it could be a pain. If the original was 1/2", excellent!
 
Yeah, I was wondering about that 1/2" too. Seems to small. One concern is whether it can do the job. The other is whether it is the correct size for the windlass. If so, I'd wonder if the boat has a proper windlass.

As to a clean line, does this line have a length of chain on it? I would like to see at least 6 feet at the anchor. That is the part that takes the worst beating on rocks etc., and it also gets the dirtyest as it is constantly rubbed in the ground. Also, a 1/2" line with no chain can wear through pretty quickly if it happens to be right on a sharp rock or something near the anchor.
 
Per my dealer, my Lofrans Project 1000 uses a 5/8 diameter rode...aside from that, the only way I know to keep a rode clean is to keep it in the anchor locker.
 
Next time around here is a trick you can use. Remove the chain and either back splice the end, or cut it with a hot knife and tape. Also make sure the bitter end is spliced tight as well and that you can tell the two apart. Toss it in a bucket of water and soap (I use bleach) for a couple days. After it has had a chance to soak, toss it into the washing machine and do a cold wash with detergent. Take it out and straighten and allow to dry. Now the rope will be pliable enough to splice to the chain. This time splice the old bitter end to the chain.

Henry
 
When you wash it in a machine washer it helps to use a mesh bag. Otherwise it ends up tangled, or in the case of 3-strand it may even unravel a bit.
 
beachcombersc said:
I guess I should have just asked," What can I pre-treat my new rode to maximize its newness?" Any thoughts???
Click to expand...
I guess everyone noticed you mentioned the old rode was too stiff to work and they offered a trick to try to salvage the old rode. I was about to offer the same advice about the bleach and then fabric softener.... Anyway sorry I do not have a suggestion, but I will offer that I too soak my rode during spring prep and it cleans up pretty good. I don't have any pre-treat ideas, but if the scotch guard works please let us know (if you try it).
Mark
 
In our case a pre-treatment is not possible because it is a buildup of dried salt and grit that makes the rope stiff. Soaking the rope in bleach starts loosening the impacted dirt, and kills any marine life growing on the rope. Throwing it in the washing machine knocks the stuff out.

About the only way one could prevent this from happening would be to saturate the rope with something that seal and lock all of the strands together. But that is self defeating because that would make the rope stiff:lol:

If the cosmetics of used rope are an issue, you could convert the rode to all chain
 
Henry Boyd said:
If the cosmetics of used rope are an issue, you could convert the rode to all chain
Click to expand...

At the cost of a LOT of added weight, not to mention the price.

You might also consider installing a washdown hose at the bow to rinse it as it's retrieved. I added a Jabsco coiled hose canister into an existing 8" access hatch. Tapped into the fresh water supply. It takes less than 2 gallons to thoroughly rinse the rode and scour mud off the anchor.
 
wkearney99 said:
At the cost of a LOT of added weight, not to mention the price.

You might also consider installing a washdown hose at the bow to rinse it as it's retrieved. I added a Jabsco coiled hose canister into an existing 8" access hatch. Tapped into the fresh water supply. It takes less than 2 gallons to thoroughly rinse the rode and scour mud off the anchor.
Click to expand...

Actually, I just priced 100' of 1/4" Plastimo Anchor at $ 3.95/ft and 74 lbs per 100 ft. 100 ft would give you enough to anchor in about 14-15' of water with a 7:1 scope. I'm thinking that since the bulk of our anchoring is in the 10 - 20' depth range we might replace the existing chain with 100'. That would only add about 50lbs because the 20' piece would be retired. I think that would also improve the holding power.

Henry
 
It would improve the holding power once you get used to setting it. You need to set that thing before you let too much out because once there's a bunch of chain out, it seems set, but may not actually be. So, set it strong before letting too much out.
 
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