Twisted Rode

[Uplate]

Installed new rode and chain this year. We did our best to get the twist our of the coil as we fed it into the anchor locker.

Now I get lots of twists of the rode as it goes through the gypsy and I need to manually lower it while taking out the knots.

I had the idea of going to the deepest part of the lake and letting it out and not let it hit the bottom to let it naturally undo any twists. Is this a good idea?

Do I need one of these? http://www.anchoring.com/stainless-steel-multidirectional-anchor-swivel.html

Never a problem with the old rode, but it was well used.

Thanks for any info.

 

[islandhopper00]

Did you soak the line in water before you installed it? Sometimes anchor line sits on a shelf for awhile and takes a set from being coiled tightly on a roll.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Swivels are a good idea.

Rather than just dropping it...

I do this all the time with ski ropes: Bring the entire rope to the stern and let the rope pay out behind you (the other end... not the anchor end) as you travel. Let it all out. Within a minute or so, it should be completely tangle free. Obviously be sure to keep it out of your props, but once you get going it will stay plenty clear.

I suppose you could try it in reverse so you don't have to carry the rope down to the cockpit - but I've never tried it so I don't know how long it will take.

Either way, you don't have to remove the anchor - just string the rope back to the cockpit, tie it off and then feed the rest out.

 

[Nehalennia]

I have a swivel on mine and I haven't had any issues. You may need to take it off in your slip and run it up and down your dock to get it all untwisted.

 

[fwebster]

Uplate,

Next time around, when you install a new anchor rode, have a helper at the helm and go to the bow and unroll the line into the water by feeding it off the spool. Place a boat hook, broomstick, etc. thru the spool and unroll the line into the water, but do not pull the line off the end of the spool, even though it is easier. When it comes off the end, every revolution has a kink in it; unroll it and it is relatively kink free. Slowly back the boat away from the line as you roll the line off. When you get to the end, feed the end into the pulpit and windlass then go below and secure the end in the anchor locker. Now, (and since your line is already installed, this is where you begin, except you need to remove all ground tackle from the thimble before paying out the line) slowly back the boat away from the line while keeping a straight course. The twist in the line will act like threads and "unscrew" the kinks that may remain.

Just the act of anchoring is going to induce some kinks into the rode. I anchor somewhere between 75 and 100 days a year (retirement is great!) and generally go thru the untwisting procedure at least once a year.

 

[Uplate]

Uplate,

Next time around, when you install a new anchor rode, have a helper at the helm and go to the bow and unroll the line into the water by feeding it off the spool. Place a boat hook, broomstick, etc. thru the spool and unroll the line into the water, but do not pull the line off the end of the spool, even though it is easier. When it comes off the end, every revolution has a kink in it; unroll it and it is relatively kink free. Slowly back the boat away from the line as you roll the line off. When you get to the end, feed the end into the pulpit and windlass then go below and secure the end in the anchor locker. Now, (and since your line is already installed, this is where you begin, except you need to remove all ground tackle from the thimble before paying out the line) slowly back the boat away from the line while keeping a straight course. The twist in the line will act like threads and "unscrew" the kinks that may remain.

Just the act of anchoring is going to induce some kinks into the rode. I anchor somewhere between 75 and 100 days a year (retirement is great!) and generally go thru the untwisting procedure at least once a year.

Thanks Frank and all.

Removing the tackle and paying out the line while backing up seems to be a good solution and not too difficult at all. Since I have 150' of rode and it kinks about every 6" now, it is going to take some time to manually let out that much length.

When we installed, we did exactly what you said not to do. We just unwound from the end and stretched it out on the dock and twisted it while feeding through the windless and into the anchor locker. I just reached in the locker and pulled it through the hole. Since my lake is not that deep where I anchor I may go to all chain next time. I never used the swivel nor needed it on my last setup. Looks like cheap solution if it keeps the twist out.

 

[Uplate]

Now that I think about Franks suggestion,I have another concern.

If I remove the anchor, and start backing up until all of the rode is out, then I am likely to be dragging the 20' of chain on the bottom. I will probably be in only about 30-40 feet of water.

So I am concerned about snagging something with the chain or the chain dragging will not allow the rode to untwist..

Maybe Dennis method might be best then, although not as convenient.

 

[johnsross3]

fwebster does it the way I did and I had no problems. Can you temporarily remove the chain when doing the backing up procedure? If not, what about tying a fender to the end of the chain to keep it afloat? I'm not sure whether or not that would hinder the untwisting that will occur when you backup.

 

[fwebster]

Mike,

It's a little more work, but you can leave the anchor attached and untie the rode from the anchor locker and let it out in reverse to accomplish the same result. Just be sure to tie the line off to a cleat right behind the chain before you let it out.

 

[Uplate]

Mike,

It's a little more work, but you can leave the anchor attached and untie the rode from the anchor locker and let it out in reverse to accomplish the same result. Just be sure to tie the line off to a cleat right behind the chain before you let it out.

Going to try that tomorrow Frank. Thanks so much for the input.

I hope to be kink less soon!