Anchor Rode

[Jeffrey Wanko]

I have a 2008 Sea Ray Sundancer 290, and the anchor rode is very short, so I purchased a new 150ft with 20ft of chain, all pre-spliced. The question is, what is the proper way to install and secure the new rode and chain? There is only a very small porthole/hatch into the anchor locker, and I assume that the rode would be fed in using the windlass, but I am also not sure how to secure the end.

Sorry if this question has already been asked and answered.

-Jeff

 

[JimG]

There must be some access to the anchor locker... maybe at the head end of the V-berth?

You definitely need to secure the bitter end of your new rode.

 

[Jeffrey Wanko]

Hi Jim,

Ok, so it is not a simple matter of making a knot, the end of the rode would be secured to a shackle or padeye. I will check to see if I can find access. Where is your access to the locker located on your 310?

 

[rcknecht]

I used a "smash link" to add chain... I added 75' of chain, and how I have 100' of chain, which in most cased for me is sufficient for anchoring... I have 3/8" of anchor chain.

 

[JimG]

Hi Jim,

Ok, so it is not a simple matter of making a knot, the end of the rode would be secured to a shackle or padeye. I will check to see if I can find access. Where is your access to the locker located on your 310?

My access is on the bow... I lift the windlass hatch and there is a removable 6" deck plate.

 

[Jeffrey Wanko]

Thanks, Jim...I may have overlooked that, so will check. Thanks again.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I could be wrong, but I believe your only access is going to be through the deck hatch by the windlass. It should be a decently sized hatch - not huge, but certainly workable/doable - maybe 16" or so? Although with boats, in general, it's not uncommon to be working "blind" or with one hand.

Your boat is small enough that the exterior bow eye often has a tie-off bracket attached to it on the inside. Your existing rode should already be tied off, correct? Just use the same thing.

 

[mratlndmrk]

I used a "smash link" to add chain... I added 75' of chain, and how I have 100' of chain, which in most cased for me is sufficient for anchoring... I have 3/8" of anchor chain.View attachment 80522

Does that link go freely through the windlass?

 

[JimG]

I used a "smash link" to add chain... I added 75' of chain, and how I have 100' of chain, which in most cased for me is sufficient for anchoring... I have 3/8" of anchor chain.View attachment 80522

Does that link go freely through the windlass?

I used the same (5/16) "smash link" when I added 135' of chain to my existing chain... it goes through the windlass just fine.

 

[rcknecht]

Does that link go freely through the windlass?

Yes, Its has worked for 7 years in my progress 1 windlass... I don't even notice when it goes through...

 

[jzanthony]

Yes, Its has worked for 7 years in my progress 1 windlass... I don't even notice when it goes through...

I didnt know these existed, i have 100' of chain but would like to add another 50' of rope would it work to splice the chain and rope together.

Jamie

 

[Lazy Daze]

I didnt know these existed, i have 100' of chain but would like to add another 50' of rope would it work to splice the chain and rope together.

Jamie

Those smash links are used to combine two lengths of chain together. To add rope to chain, you splice the rope onto the chain with a chain splice. Using the smash link would not help in any way.