SBH2OMan
Well-known member
So there seems to be several different ways that people rig their anchor rode. My current setup (from the PO) is about 8 years old & its time to replace it! (I've already reversed the nylon line a few years back). Whats on the boat now is pretty funky, rusty, abraded, corroded, and I'd like to clean it up.
Right now I have:
Bruce anchor <->bow shackle<->~10' BBB chain<->bow shackle<->proof coil<->swivel<->thimble braided to 3/strand 1/2" line
I'm guessing that the PO at some point decided he wanted more chain and added whatever he had handy, resulting in the mixed chain with the bow shackle joining them.
I mostly anchor in <50' of water and spend a lot of the time in the water diving with the boat unattended at anchor. I don't have a winch, though I'd like to add one in the future.
What I'm thinking of going with is 20' of 1/4" BBB (so that it's compatible with the Lewmar Profish 700 I've been dreaming about for years) and 300' of 1/2" 3-strand nylon.
The questions I have are:
(1) Whether to use a swivel (it seems like introducing a weak point to me for very little discernible benefit)
(2) Direct splice to chain or use a shackle and thimble that is spliced onto the nylon line? Pulling my rode up through the bow roller is a PITA with all the bits and pieces that exist in the last 20' or so. The idea of a streamlined splice is very appealing to me.
Its crazy how expensive basic ground tackle is!
Also, does anyone know of a good use for rusty old 1/4" chain? I hate to throw it in a land fill, but I don't trust it on the boat any longer. I'll probably re-purpose part of it (along with the nylon line) as a stern anchor for the couple of times a year I overnight at the local islands.
Right now I have:
Bruce anchor <->bow shackle<->~10' BBB chain<->bow shackle<->proof coil<->swivel<->thimble braided to 3/strand 1/2" line
I'm guessing that the PO at some point decided he wanted more chain and added whatever he had handy, resulting in the mixed chain with the bow shackle joining them.
I mostly anchor in <50' of water and spend a lot of the time in the water diving with the boat unattended at anchor. I don't have a winch, though I'd like to add one in the future.
What I'm thinking of going with is 20' of 1/4" BBB (so that it's compatible with the Lewmar Profish 700 I've been dreaming about for years) and 300' of 1/2" 3-strand nylon.
The questions I have are:
(1) Whether to use a swivel (it seems like introducing a weak point to me for very little discernible benefit)
(2) Direct splice to chain or use a shackle and thimble that is spliced onto the nylon line? Pulling my rode up through the bow roller is a PITA with all the bits and pieces that exist in the last 20' or so. The idea of a streamlined splice is very appealing to me.
Its crazy how expensive basic ground tackle is!
Also, does anyone know of a good use for rusty old 1/4" chain? I hate to throw it in a land fill, but I don't trust it on the boat any longer. I'll probably re-purpose part of it (along with the nylon line) as a stern anchor for the couple of times a year I overnight at the local islands.
