Anchor Line - Brait or not

[rpwillia]

I need to replace my anchor line. Last winter a guy from New England ropes gave a presentation about line (it is actually a multi-faceted and interesting subject) which whetted my interest as my 3-strand has a good memory and is a little extra trouble to store when pulling it in. I currently have 1/2 3-straind, but was looking at the Yale Brait anchor line on this site and at the Double Braid line at West Marine. Is there much difference, and does 1/2 work for our boats (I have never had a problem with what I have)?

The price difference for the Yale Brait and what WM has is pretty substantial and all things being equal I want what I need, but also like to support this site. Ray

 

[valcour]

The brait supposedly will take up less space, but depending on how many anchors you carry, the size of the anchor locker should be adequate for either. I have been told the brait is much easier to handle, but have no first hand experience. I think if you check the specs the double braid is about 15% stronger then the twisted. This means you will get less stretch with a double braid of the same diameter as 3 strand. For an anchor line stretch is your friend.

 

[paulj]

The same person that talked to valcour told me my setup was just fine.......I used it a lot this year.


paulj :troll:

 

[rpwillia]

Thoughts

The brait supposedly will take up less space, but depending on how many anchors you carry, the size of the anchor locker should be adequate for either. I have been told the brait is much easier to handle, but have no first hand experience. I think if you check the specs the double braid is about 15% stronger then the twisted. This means you will get less stretch with a double braid of the same diameter as 3 strand. For an anchor line stretch is your friend.

Valcour, Interesting point. I guess at this point it is whether the easier handling is more important than the stretch. I use the original Danforth anchor and have no problems in the Potomac River. In fact with the mud here, it is normally a bear to get the anchor up as it sets so hard.

For stretch, springiness, what about using one of those mooring snubbers to take away the shock.

 

[valcour]

I say if you are willing to break the rubber band off your wallet, go for the high tech brait line. According to this http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|118|311417|322366|1041170&id=637846 it's got the stretch.

I've been wanting to get another anchor, but I have not yet been able to drag my 22# danforth type anchor with 20' of chain in the Chesapeake bay. If I ever do have a dragging episode, I will have some ammunition to convince the admiral I need either a delta or bruce type anchor.

dave

 

[rpwillia]

Looks like the same line SBO has

They are both made by Yale, $0.79/ft and brait. That is what I was thinking of. I will ask our hosts.

I too have never had my anchor hold in the Potomac. Usually it is set so hard that I had to cleat it and power over it to break it free as the Danforth just get a wicked hold in the mud.

 

[rpwillia]

SBO recommended this.

They stated the Yale brait on their site and at Defender were one and the same, but recommended this sampson line.

http://shop.catalinaowners.com/detail.htm?group=1323