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How do you clean a dirty anchor line?

What is a correct anchor line?

  • When I bought my boat it came with a bungee line on the anchor (along with a chain for backup). When it wore out I went back to the dealer and they said it was insane to use bungee ...show more

  • Answer:

    Bungee cords have lots of uses on a boat, but anchor line is not one of them. They are basically rubber strands with a thin cloth cover. They quickly degrade in sunlight and will not take loads over a few pounds for very long. Your idea of an elastic line however is sound. That's the reason that nylon is usually used...it stretches under load and provides the 'cushion' to absorb shocks without pulling out the anchor. Three strand is what you want. Dacron yacht braid line looks nicer and is smoother, but it will not stretch anywhere near as much. A shock will pull out the anchor. Pick the right size line for your boat .... the west marine catalog or Chapman's small craft book or many other references have tables for selecting the size. Have enough scope to help the anchor hold. For 25 feet of water, you need about 100' for lunch and about 150' for overnight. Everything will work a lot better if you have a short length of chain between the anchor and the line. It helps get the shank of the anchor down horizontal, which is the way it digs in and holds. Happy sailing.

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Most of these answers are good. I will just add a few rules of thumb: The minimum (!) recommended chain lenght recommended should be the lenght of the boat. If anchoring where there are rocky bottoms and/or shifting winds, it should be much more. Except for Fortress anchors, the minimum weight of the anchor should be at least one pound for each foot of lenght of boat. I saw a lot of 45' cruiser with a 15 pounds anchor. You can install an anchor shock absorber (usually in rubber) in PARALLEL to your anchor line. But never have just that to hold your boat. Having 2 types of anchors (plow-type and Danforth-type) gives you more chance to have the right one for the type of bottom where you wich to anchor. If you always anchor at the same place, think of installing a permanent anchoring system.

Sylvain

The anchor should be attatched to a chain and then to a three braid rope. The chain helps to hold the anchor in position.

Graham

proper anchoring consists of doing the following: rig the anchor with chain and nylon line. slowly lower the anchor over the side of the boat continue letting out line until you have reached a 5/1 scope. 125' in a water depth of 25' set the anchor by pulling hard on the anchor line (in small boats), or using the motor by pulling against the anchor. if the anchor is not holding, raise the anchor and re set it. if the anchor continues to fail to set, you either have the wrong type of anchor for the bottom type or need a larger sized anchor. there are many types of anchors, fortress anchors have a good reputation for high holding power with light weight. hope this helps

seattlesailor2000

It sounds like you have a lot of uplift at the anchor. Are you still using the chain between the anchor and the braided rope? You need the chain to give the rope some weight. You also didn't say how much line you pay out when anchoring. You need the length of the line to be 5 to 7 times the water depth; more in high wind situations. The chain and the anchor must lay flat on the bottom to work properly and hold you boat securely.

tom

you should have two metres of chain on the end of a rope. The chain won't fray from rubbing the bottom like the rope would. Your theory on the bungee may be right, but not sure on longevity or legality of it.

bikerwoody

A bungee is insane . As mentioned you need a chain rode between the anchor & braided anchor line. Depending on size of boat you may need a longer chain rode & possibly a heavier anchor. . The weight of the chain keeps the anchor on the bottom in proper position as mentioned & if part of the chain lifts it damps sharp pulls on the line Even then you should pay out enough braided line for the depth of water, about 75' in 25 ft of water. Some people do use rubber "snubbers" on mooring lines to ease tugging on deck fittings . Maybe that is what it was for.? Best regards

split dog

Chain and braid... if you pulling anchor.. 1) your anchor is to light for the boat or 2) your not letting enough line out min should be 3 times the depth of the water.. bottom conditions are also a factor

utoenjoy2000

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