Chain + Rope vs All Chain

C

csnaik

New Member
Jul 31, 2012
12
Mystic, CT
Boat Info
2004 460 DA
Engines
Cummins 480CE
It is time to replace my anchor setup. Current I have a chain and rope configuration on my 2004 460 DA. Should I replace with chain and rope or all chain?
I occasionally anchor it at the Napa tree area off watch hill mostly during light winds.
Currently boat had a Delta anchor.
Regards
Sekhar
 
All chain holds better, lays on the bottom better and the you get the benefit from the weight.

Occasionally anchoring in light winds - not sure if the ROI is there.
 
We have the 50' of chain & 200' of rode set up and if it is working for you why spend a ton more $$ on all chain ? There is also the weight factor of all chain.
 
csnaik said:
I occasionally anchor it at the Napa tree area off watch hill mostly during light winds.
Click to expand...

Let me turn that comment around and form it into a question: Would you likely travel any further or anchor in more than light winds if you had the ground tackle to handle it?

I had a 330 DA that I added all chain to. The extra weight of the chain right up front in the bow helps keep the bow down when running on plane without having to use trim tabs to get the same effect.

An all chain rode also softens the impact/shock of waves and wind when at anchor. If you had all rope, the majority of the shock of a large wake (minus whatever the rope absorbed) would be quickly passed to the boat. An all chain rode, because it lies on the bottom and must be lifted off the bottom before any shock can be passed to the boat acts as a shock absorber. It's called Catenary Effect. Many people believe in it, some do not. I'm a believer.
 
Big believer in Catenary Effect. Last two boats had all chain rode. Aside from a little extra cost, I can't see a downside and would never go back to a rope or mixed rode.


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I will never have a boat that doesn't have all chain rode. When I anchor - I want everything element working in my favor.

that's just me -

Mark
 
I have 25 chain, and 175 rope. I want all chain. But not sure where to get it for somewhat reasonable price
 
BigBoysToys said:
Big believer in Catenary Effect. Last two boats had all chain rode. Aside from a little extra cost, I can't see a downside and would never go back to a rope or mixed rode.
Click to expand...

+1 ... all chain is the way to go
 
Thank you for all replies.
Based on my read or literature in the Internet, chain+Rope holds better in heavy winds vs. All chain. I will not be anchoring in heavy winds so probably this won't make a difference. Also Gofirstclass pointed out All chain might help keep the bow down without using trim tabs as much while planing.
I'm leaning towards all-chain. Please share your experience otherwise.
 
I had all chain for years. Two years ago I needed to replace the windlass and the chain was one of the causes of the failure I went to 15 feet of chain and then rope. The cost of all chain also influenced my decision. I really have not noticed much of a difference. In fact, the rope is a bit easier to manage and maintain.
 
This is a no-brainer. All chain is the only way to go.

Think of the weight and windage of your 46' boat adding to the potential for dragging your anchor. How many times does weather conditions change at 3 am? I sleep better at night knowing that should conditions worsen, the boat will not relocate on it's own.

Be sure to have/make a bridle/snubber to distribute the load when anchored.
 
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I'm not all chain, but I did add 100' to my stock set-up. The locations I anchor in I always only have chain deployed. Definitively big improvement for my use. Only downfall I saw was at rest my smaller boat does sit slightly different from the added weight in the anchor locker, yours may not even notice depending. Overall I'm glad I made the change. If the conditions when anchored are bit rough you should rig up a snubber line to relieve direct tension from the chain to your windlass.

In Two Deep, curious how the chain contributed to your windlass failure? My windlass, and my model was notorious for this, would slip on the rope but behaves flawless with chain.
 
I am all chain and love it. I can deploy less in calm weather than those chain/rope and hold better. The cost for the right chain is expensive, but what in boating isn't. You will not be disappointed in this decision.


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I currently have all chain on our "new" boat. I'm happy with that. Now I'll play devils advocate and bring up another question.

What do you do when your anchor won't come back up?

I keep a nice set of bolt cutters on board.
 
anyone have "links" to where I can buy some 200 foot of chain for mine.
 
Arickosmo said:
I currently have all chain on our "new" boat. I'm happy with that. Now I'll play devils advocate and bring up another question.

What do you do when your anchor won't come back up?

I keep a nice set of bolt cutters on board.
Click to expand...

Typically the end of the chain rode is attached to a line. You drop all the chain, cut the rode.
 
MTC said:
I did add 100' to my stock set-up.
Click to expand...

Just did this last night. Went from 25' to 100' of chain so that most situations i'll be fully on chain. Still have 175' of the orginial 5/8 3-strand line left for deeper anchoring. Wanted to get away from running past the splice all the time, and also to add a little weight to the bow. Excited to see how things go.
 
Went to all chain a couple of years ago, wish I'd done so as soon as I bought the boat.
- love the extra weight up front when coming out of the hole and cruising - very balanced without the need for large trim tab travel. Significantly smoother.
- anchoring in no wind up to heavy winds - have never had a problem since going to all chain. Love the piece of mind.
- the Catenary effect is definitely real.
- before the next boat hits the water, this is one of the those learned lessons I'll apply and it'll have an all chain set-up if it doesn't already.
 
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Arickosmo said:
What do you do when your anchor won't come back up?
Click to expand...

Most anchors have a secondary eye on the back to attach a second line to. People use it to have a float on the surface to mark the anchors location.

More importantly, the same line can be used to loosen the anchor by pulling the anchor backward (by hand or with the help of engines) if wedged. You may then lift the anchor with the windlass.

After many decades of boating I have yet to experience an anchor that will not release.
 
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