Anchor and Dock Line

[Rick Belew]

I am replacing my anchor rode and dock lines using 3 strand nylon line. The two brands I am looking at New England 3 stand nylon and Samson Pro-set 3 strand nylon. The New England has a proprietary marine tech coating to improve fiber to fiber abrasion resistance. What I am concern about is how line become stiff and loose flexibility especially the dock lines. I am buying 600 feet so I will have enough for both plus additional line for other situations. The anchor line will be on a windlass with chain and I can make my own eye splices for dock lines. My question is what experience you have had and which lines maintain it flexibility and durability etc.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I've only used NE. The dock lines are going on over 12 years and are fine and the anchor line has held up for over 10 before I replaced the anchor and used new line for the new anchor. That new line had been in my lazarette for over 5 years before that.

I think your dock lines are an easy issue, because they can be easily replaced.

The anchor line is something else. Others have had success with line other than 3 strand, the name escapes me now, someone will chime in.

I don't think you're gonna find much difference in 3 strand between major manufacturers. Most vendors do have the cheapie stuff, which I'm sure you wouldn't consider.

 

[sailingdog]

Three-strand isn't that great for anchor rode. It tends to hockle and kink and takes up a lot of space when stowed. Mega-Plait, Brait or other plaited lines stow much more compactly, and have better stretch and shock absorption characteristics.

There are also new double braid anchor lines out, like Samson's Super Strong Nylon Double Braid anchor line, which would be a good choice.

Three-strand lines are better for tying up to pilings, since the pilings tend to pick at the outer braid on double braid lines, but that's about their only advantage IMHO.

 

[Steve Dion]

Stu:

No wonder you cannot remember because everyone calls it something different.

Yale - Brait
NE Rope - Mega Plait
Sampson - Super Strong Anchor Line & Deep Six

 

[sailingdog]

Stu:

No wonder you cannot remember because everyone calls it something different.

Yale - Brait
NE Rope - Mega Plait
Sampson - Deep Six

These are plaited lines—either six or eight strands...

Sampson - Super Strong Anchor Line

This is a double braid.

 

[Maine Sail]

This is one

This is one of the few times I tend to disagree with SD. I have owned the brait/plait rodes and really did not like them. I had so many pulls in mine after one season that it looked like a blind person tried to knit a sweater. I was also never to crazy about the many three strand rodes I owned, though NER three strand holds up very, very well compared to some others.

After getting frustrated with my brait rode I continued my search and discovered a company in Canada called Nova Braid. They make an anchor specific double braid line called Nova Gold that has excellent strength, stretch and wear characteristics. I am now going on 5 years and could not be happier.

Cajun Trading Co. in Nova Scotia sells it and will make it any length you want. It is very, very reasonably priced and holds up extremely well.

The Nova Braid NovaGold (LINK) double braid anchor line I use actually offers better elongation than does New England Ropes 3 Strand anchor line and also better elongation than NER Mega Plait.

According to the manufacturers spec sheets, linked below, at a 30% working load the NovaGold double braid will stretch about 14%. At a 30% working load New England Ropes 3 Strand will stretch about 12.5% & Sampson 3 strand about 10%. So the Novagold is actually more elastic, flakes better, has better abrasion resistance and does not hockle. It also works very well in my windlass even though I don't use it much.

Even NER Mega Plait, which I used on my old power boat, and did not like, does not beat the NovaGold double braid in either tensile strength or % elongation.

NER publishes a 20% working load stretch for Mega Plait of 10.4%. At a 20% working load NovaGold double braid offers a 12% stretch and the individual strands don't pull and pucker like Mega Plait does, which is the reason I disliked it so much.

NovaGold double braid also beats both NER 3 strand and Mega Plait, as well as other anchor rated lines, in tensile strength.

Here are the specs for 5/8" rodes - NovaGold beats them and is less money:

------------------------------------Stretch @20%----- Tensile Strength

NER 3 Strand------------------------------------ 10%------------12,200
NER Mega Plait - 12 strand -------------------10%-----------10,000
NovaGold DB ------------------------------------12%-----------14,800
Yale Octo Brait - 8 strand ---------------------12%-----------12,200
Sampson 3 Strand ----------------------------- 10%-----------10,000


NovaGold can be purchased from Cajun Trading (LINK) and the price is amazingly affordable, was less than NER 3 Strand.

If you want to go three strand, I'd recommend NER, but if you want to go one better I can't recommend Novagold highly enough..

 

[Rick Belew]

Re: This is one

My windlass Sprint Atlantic /Simpson Lawrence stated not to use plait line. So I guess I am stuck with 3 strand nylon. I could use the braid line for dock lines but they appear to grow legs and walk off. I wanted lines that do the job and handle chafing but don't turn to stone/stiff. Thanks for the information.

 

[zeehag]

My windlass Sprint Atlantic /Simpson Lawrence stated not to use plait line. So I guess I am stuck with 3 strand nylon. I could use the braid line for dock lines but they appear to grow legs and walk off. I wanted lines that do the job and handle chafing but don't turn to stone/stiff. Thanks for the information.

3 strand is better for anchor line than is yacht braid or plait--lol--stretches and doesnt break like yacht braid will under heavy winds and big load...lol...if they get stiff--wash them in fresh water lol..is easy to fix....the gypsy in the simpson lawrence windlass isnt able to hold on to the smoothness of the yacht braid--needs 3 strand to grab....

 

[Allan Frey]

New England ropes is changing their 3 strand.

In recent years it has hardened and gotten stiff after a short time. I brought the problem to their attention and they have been developing a revision during the last few months. My impression is that they will have it ready by summer but I can't say for sure.

Allan

 

[Maine Sail]

3 strand is better for anchor line than is yacht braid or plait--lol--stretches and doesnt break like yacht braid will under heavy winds and big load...lol

If by "Yacht Braid" you mean a double braid you are painting with too broad a brush. The stuff I mentioned above is stronger and offers more stretch than any of the major brand three strand lines, and guess what, it is a "yacht braid"/ double braid..

the gypsy in the simpson lawrence windlass isnt able to hold on to the smoothness of the yacht braid--needs 3 strand to grab....

Funny, I have a Simpson Lawrence windlass and it works great with my double braid anchor rode...

 

[Gudenuph]

I'm a fan of three strand anchor rode for several reasons. It is virtually self coiling in the anchor locker especially when wet. It is quick and easy to splice to thimbles and to chain. Depth markers are easy to attach, just insert under a couple of strands. Antichafe gear is also easy to attach in the same maner.
As for dock lines I much prefer doubled lines of smaller diameter. It is almost impossible to tension the two lines equally, therefore one line takes the initial loading the vast majority of the time while the other remains slack and chafe free. When the first line loads up and begins to stretch the slack line starts loading in turn. The result is a shock absorbing effect which prevents jolting the hardware.
FWIW Geohan

 

[sailingdog]

Maine Sail—

I did recommend using one of the new double braids, like Samson Super Strong double braid anchor line in my second graf.

I couldn't remember the name of the stuff you were using off the top of my head. The Samson line is stronger, but not as elastic. The NovaGold is probably better, at least based on the specs, but I haven't used it yet...so I'm taking your word on it.

P.S. Did you get my e-mail on the batteries?

 

[Snotter]

Maine Sail, I couldn't help but notice you have the same furler on your boat as on my boat. Can you recommend what furling line I should get, and the width and length? I am still running that crappy stuff that Harken shipped with my furler and I can't stand the stuff.

 

[Maine Sail]

Maine Sail, I couldn't help but notice you have the same furler on your boat as on my boat. Can you recommend what furling line I should get, and the width and length? I am still running that crappy stuff that Harken shipped with my furler and I can't stand the stuff.

Yes, Call Harken and ask them to send you the new upgraded double braid line that had Yale makes for them. They initially tried to go for a light weight single braid construction, Yale built what they asked for, then it sucked. Harken will send you a replacement furling line if you ask nicely, their customer support is outstanding. I found out about the new line from a guy who works at Yale Cordage.

The new line is black with red tracer, just like the one you have now, only a double braid construction not single, and is basically very similar in construction to the new Yale Yacht Braid ultra low stretch..

 

[Maine Sail]

Maine Sail—



P.S. Did you get my e-mail on the batteries?

Just found it. For some reason you got caught in the spam folder?

 

[sailingdog]

Well, that explains why you haven't replied to it.

Just found it. For some reason you got caught in the spam folder?