Best way to mark anchor chain/rode??

R

radiojon

New Member
Sep 2, 2012
102
Franklin, TN
Boat Info
320 Sundancer 2005
Engines
Mercruiser 350 w/Bravo III Drives
I'd like to place markers on my anchor chain/rode to better estimate the length lowered into the water as it drops. Is it safe to do so slowly while the boat is in the marina slip, or would I run the risk of the chain/rope possibly getting snagged or knotted under the slip? Is it better to just open the anchor locker and pull out the chain/rope and lay it along the slip finger? What's the best method for marking up the chain/rope -- paint, colored tape, something else? Looking for tips/suggestions.

Thanks!

- Mark
 
I wouldn't drop it all in the marina, the finger is probably much more controlled and will allow for better markings.

I am 100% Chain rode and used small, colored zip ties. They go right through the windless. I doubled up all markings and only lost 1 tie all season.

I'm not sure how this will work if you have rope as well though.
 
I have a combination Chain and Rope Anchor Rode. I spray painted both every ten feet as an indication. When dropping Anchor, I simply observe and count the number of Red Marks. Works for me. Did this two years ago, and marks are still very visible. Am out at least several times a week during the summer utilizing the Anchor.

Bill
 
I would lay it out on the finger or walk it down the dock. I'm on a trailer so I just fed it out to the bitter end and used black permanent marker and made solid mark about 1" wide at 10' intervals, I have redone it once in 3 seasons, it fades abit but I can see it pretty well. I think the windlass would work tape off or move it along the rode, hence the black marker on white rode. The rode gets dirty, but I can still see the marks, around these parts you only use about 50-60' at most in most anchorages.
1990-270-da-lover
 
I've got a combination of chain and rope rode also. A couple of years ago, while the boat was on the hard for winter storage, I used the spray paint method. I marked it every ten feet, with 1 line for 10, 2 for 20, etc. It is still visible enough to use.

Don't forget to include the distance between the deck and waterline in your measurements.

Mike
 
I've used spray paint but it barely lasts a season. What paint do you guys find that lasts long time? I have all chain.
 
I make mine with white paint every 15 feet for 2 feet. Paint needs replacing every year. Tie straps sound like good way to go but I am about 25 feet from the anchor so do not know if I could see them. On the rope part I use a black felt pen. Put one 1/4" wide mark for each 25 feet.
 
It might just be easier to figure the rate at which your windlass lowers the anchor. That's what I did with mine....I would just count in my head as I pressed the button at the helm. I don't remember my rate exactly but let's say it's 10 ft every 15 seconds...press the button for 45 seconds to let out 30 ft. After 2 seasons I could figure it out with counting in my head because you just get a feel for it.
 
Tonka Boater said:
It might just be easier to figure the rate at which your windlass lowers the anchor. That's what I did with mine....I would just count in my head as I pressed the button at the helm. I don't remember my rate exactly but let's say it's 10 ft every 15 seconds...press the button for 45 seconds to let out 30 ft. After 2 seasons I could figure it out with counting in my head because you just get a feel for it.
Click to expand...

That's an idea. I'll need a timer, b/c I usually don't let out less than 50-75, but most of the time it's close to 100'.
 
Mikemapva said:
I've got a combination of chain and rope rode also. A couple of years ago, while the boat was on the hard for winter storage, I used the spray paint method. I marked it every ten feet, with 1 line for 10, 2 for 20, etc. It is still visible enough to use.

Don't forget to include the distance between the deck and waterline in your measurements.

Mike
Click to expand...


I did the same but used mighty fix it tape that i found in the "as-seen-on" section at bed bath and beyond for $10 for my markers. Each pack comes with three colors. I measured every 10 feet from the anchor and marked it. After 50 feet it switched to a new color for the next increments of 10 feet. At 100 feet swichhed to a third color. 150-200 was back to the first color.

That way it's really easy to know how much is payed out. The tape sticks to itself when you stretch it but doesn't damage the chain or my line. Stretch it tight as you wrap it around and you're good to go.

I had a friend reel out the anchor chain and line from the helm while I walked it down the pier. Just move it to the edge while you arecworking so it's not a tripping hazard.

http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Fix-It-Tape-Seen/dp/B00414DWQA
 
Alex F said:
I've used spray paint but it barely lasts a season. What paint do you guys find that lasts long time? I have all chain.
Click to expand...

Great question. I am going to all chain this year and wasn't sure how to mark it. Paint seems like the easiest to see. What kind of paint do you guys suggest?
 
White enamel in $5 spray can enough for 2 years. Need to clean chain first. I spread the chain out on the dock and put cardboard under each place I paint. Let dry and wind it back up.
 
Alex

I use chain markers from Imtra that I found online that come in 5 different colors and 3 different sizes. They snap in to the chain links and go thru the windlass without issues.

Stuart
 
I'll have to see if I can find the can of paint to remember what it was. It was nothing fancy and has been visible for at least 2 or 3 years.
 
I use Auto-Anchor unit which counts revs of the capstan and converts to feet and inch readout at the dash. This makes it so easy to be able to check your scope with the tide. I also have been using a mini remote control for up and down which allows me to remove grass and mud while leaning over at the same time. Both of these devices are terrific.
 
radiojon said:
I'd like to place markers on my anchor chain/rode to better estimate the length lowered into the water as it drops. Is it safe to do so slowly while the boat is in the marina slip, or would I run the risk of the chain/rope possibly getting snagged or knotted under the slip? Is it better to just open the anchor locker and pull out the chain/rope and lay it along the slip finger? What's the best method for marking up the chain/rope -- paint, colored tape, something else? Looking for tips/suggestions.

- Mark
Click to expand...

I use liquid rope whipping. Works great. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HXN57O/ref=oh_details_o09_s00_i00
 
Alex

I have only used them for 1 year but I have not lost any yet. I found them for about $14.00 for a package of 10 but that was not from Imtra


Stuart
 
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