Anchor Rode project

[Megabyte]

I was looking for some photos unrelated to this subject when I came across these, and thought they might be helpful.
We have questions often that pertain to the subject, so I thought I'd post mine in case someone is looking to do the same upgrade.

I had originally replaced the old anchor rode with 300' of 1/2" three-strand twist and 20' of chain back in 2003.
It served well, but several problems presented themselves.

My anchor-swivel-to-chain did not work very well, and it caused hockles in my line.

 

[Megabyte]

So after looking at my options, I ordered new rode and hardware.
The rode I bought was 1/2" 8-plait with 25' of chain, and a new barrel swivel.

8-plait is generally the go-to for people with an anchor windlass.
Unfortunately, I retrieve by hand.
However... the 8-plait is softer and lays much better in the chain locker, so that is where I went.

I did all this in my slip, so the first order of business was to remove the old, and prepare the new.

 

[Megabyte]

Something that I did not take a photo of...

Inside the chain locker, I secured the new rode to the rear of the bow eye by tying a double figure-8 on a bight in the end of the line, and securing it with a clevis.
That way, in the unlikely event that all the rode ran out of the locker, it wouldn't leave the boat. :shock:

On the anchor end, I replaced the old swivel with a new one of the style used with a windlass. Much smoother rotation than the old one.

 

[Megabyte]

As I replaced the old with the new, I measured the line as it went in and replaced my old rode flags with new.
Want to anchor in 20' of water at a 3:1 scope? Follow the rode flags.

 

[Megabyte]

Next up, safety wiring the hardware.
Take a spool of stainless wire and safety wire anything that could work it's way apart.

 

[Megabyte]

Finally... lock down the anchor on the pulpit, and attach the safety.
The safety in the second photo is a little hard to see, but it is a spring loaded SS catch tied to parachute cord that is anchored to the port bow cleat.
It simply clips to the chain.

Done!

 

[DaleH]

NICE! Like that plait rode. Tip - remove that bolt on the tapered end of that fancy swivel, clean both it and the mating part w/ solvent, then apply blue LokTite and let her setup before deploying.

Or just stake the bolt in place, akin the staked gas key on your AR baby

 

[Megabyte]

Yea... forgot to mention that.
The pins on the swivel were treated to LocTite since they could not be safety wired.

 

[gw204]

I don't know about this one Capt. Does replacing some rope really qualify as a "project"? :wink:

Nice upgrade!

 

[Megabyte]

I don't know about this one Capt. Does replacing some rope really qualify as a "project"? :wink:

I guess it depends on how many beers are involved.

 

[gw204]

Good point...

 

[kidfreediver]

And what kind of beers where drank? A job like that is considered to have a good IPA nothing light

 

[Megabyte]

Go big, or stay home.

 

[sydngoose]

Excellent documentation, Megabyte! I appreciate all of your redundancy and attention to safety.

 

[Porkchunker]

I want to see the rope to chain splice on that.

 

[RumRunner]

Captain Kevin...where do you find the rode flags? Good tool.
RumRunner

 

[Megabyte]

Captain Kevin...where do you find the rode flags?

Got them at my local West Marine, but you could probably find them online as well.

 

[TunaJoe]

Do the rode flags go thru a windlass no problem?

 

[Megabyte]

Do the rode flags go thru a windlass no problem?

They are mylar, so they should be good to go.
I'll let you know once I get my windlass installed.