PLZ, on my '97 H376, the rope anchor rode coming off of the windlass on weighing the anchor tends to bunch-up at the entrance hole of the anchor locker. I tried, unsuccessfully, to manually stuff the rode in the hole as it came off of the windlass. I even tried doing a short section at a time, to no avail. The chain drops all-right 'cuz of its weight. In lieu of needing someone below to pull the rope-rode into the locker, does anyone have a solution to my dilemma? I prefer to not have to leave 100 plus feet of rode on deck until I return to my home slip and go below to pull-in the rode. Many Thanx, MRF
Anchor Rode Return
- Thread starter Marie T. Murphy
- Start date
Could this be caused by a twist in the rode? You might try laying it all out and making sure that all of the twist is out of it.
Did it just start happening? Was it okay before?
I like the twisted nylon rode Sailm8 posted. It's possible the diameter of the the line is an issue for the "hole" it goes through, or the three strand nylon rode is just old and stiff (you might try cleaning it by soaking, washing, etc. (or just replace it).
I like the twisted nylon rode Sailm8 posted. It's possible the diameter of the the line is an issue for the "hole" it goes through, or the three strand nylon rode is just old and stiff (you might try cleaning it by soaking, washing, etc. (or just replace it).
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,119
MRF, Pictures always help.
If the rode comes in around the windlass and starts down the hole into the anchor locker it should continue to fall and pile up. What stops this from happening is twist in the line. Some line twists (hockles) more than other.
3 strand nylon (a common line for anchor rode) can be the worse offender.
It is like the twist cord on the princess phones that were in homes before Cell phones and wireless phones took over.
8 plait rode is better. It fails less. It is more expensive. It is worth it for trouble less experiences.
If the rode comes in around the windlass and starts down the hole into the anchor locker it should continue to fall and pile up. What stops this from happening is twist in the line. Some line twists (hockles) more than other.
3 strand nylon (a common line for anchor rode) can be the worse offender.
It is like the twist cord on the princess phones that were in homes before Cell phones and wireless phones took over.
8 plait rode is better. It fails less. It is more expensive. It is worth it for trouble less experiences.
More information. What type of windlass, what rope, and how much fall. Is this a new problem? Is something jammed up with mud?
It should work. Let's break it down before we start spitballing.
It should work. Let's break it down before we start spitballing.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,119
Where is the fun in that. Maybe we can hit a home run on the first pitch....
You are correct it would be nice to have a more complete look at the symptoms, but you got to admit from the limited amount of data the guess was pretty good.
Just spit-balling, I would guess your anchor spins on the way up or on the way down. Is your anchor bent?
An answer might be to add a swivel shackle between rope and chain and/or chain and anchor.
- Will (Dragonfly)
An answer might be to add a swivel shackle between rope and chain and/or chain and anchor.
- Will (Dragonfly)
Nope those are a really weak link in you anchor system. Use a Mantus swivel. Much strongerJust spit-balling, I would guess your anchor spins on the way up or on the way down. Is your anchor bent?
An answer might be to add a swivel shackle between rope and chain and/or chain and anchor.
- Will (Dragonfly)
I've always tried to stay with the 3-strand anchor line because of it's favorable elastic characteristics. I have generally had good luck getting it to fall as it needs to. If the line is too stiff, I sometimes soak it overnight in a 50/50 mix of water and fabric softener. If the distance from the gypsy to the hawse pipe is too long, I sometimes make an extender for the hawse pipe out of PVC. If the line does not fit the gypsy correctly, I either get a line that does fit or I get a different gypsy. If the line is coming up twisted, I add a swivel. Some combination of those things usually produces a good result.
As for anchor swivels, I generally attach a few links of chain to the anchor, then attach the swivel then attach the rest of the chain. I have seen enough failures from side loading a swivel for one lifetime. The picture that Leslie Troyer just posted is the first swivel I have seen that might make me rethink that practice. That Mantus swivel is a new design that I was previously unaware of. I like it. If the quality is on par with the other things that Mantus makes, that swivel may become my new standard.
As for anchor swivels, I generally attach a few links of chain to the anchor, then attach the swivel then attach the rest of the chain. I have seen enough failures from side loading a swivel for one lifetime. The picture that Leslie Troyer just posted is the first swivel I have seen that might make me rethink that practice. That Mantus swivel is a new design that I was previously unaware of. I like it. If the quality is on par with the other things that Mantus makes, that swivel may become my new standard.
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Generally, frowned upon (to use swivel in the ground tackle) - it (usually) reduces the safe working load of the rode.
I would think that would only be true if a swivel was used that was weaker than the shackle it replaced. Leslie's swivel looks both strong and streamline. You get to choose the functional load requirements when you purchase one. Having twisted anchor rode also introduced a weakness by putting an angle of rotation on the force for the pull of the anchor when set. There is that kinking issue that weakens too.
- Will (Dragonfly)
I think brait has it all over 3-strand. Elasticity, strength, better handling and stowing attributes. I used 3-strand for years and after trying 8-plait I will not go back to 3-strand. The only advantages of 3-strand over brait are lower cost and a bit less likely to catch a strand on something rough.
I’m not sure if the validity, but I thought that abrasion resistance and ability take repeated shock loads without degradation were questions about brait vs 3-strand?
There is little question, brait is nicer to handle, it’s harder to splice, costs a lot more, looks neater. It also does go round a windlas capstan much better.
There is little question, brait is nicer to handle, it’s harder to splice, costs a lot more, looks neater. It also does go round a windlas capstan much better.
I don't think there is any difference in abrasion resistance between brait and 3-strand, as they're both nylon. Brait of equal diameter is a bit stronger (not a big difference, perhaps 5%) but 3-strand has all exterior fibers aligned longitudinally whereas brait has woven exterior fibers, so they're more likely to catch on a dock splinter or something like that... Probably not as much of an issue for anchor line as for dock lines.
In general, ground tackle is a pretty hotly debated topic among sailors, with many people having strong opinions that don't always agree. Choice of anchor is something that few seem able to agree upon. On some web forums, the debates over them gets pretty heated. I guess that I should not be surprised to encounter opinions on swivels that contradict mine as well. The cordial nature of that discussion here is a welcomed change from other forums.
To date, most of the people I have met that don't like swivels, were people who were not aware of how to use them correctly or were on boats with anchors that got pulled up by hand. If your reasons for not liking them are something other than this, please help me to understand the shortcomings that I am unaware of.
Around here swivels are pretty popular on bigger boats. I have also seen them on the pulpit of a brand new multi-million dollar yacht at the factory. Most every mooring I see around here has at least one swivel.
There are many different swivels out there. The cheap ones are certainly to be frowned upon, but the better quality ones have a pretty good track record when properly installed & occasionally inspected for degradation. Most of the failures that I have seen have either been from improper use or corrosion after long term use. Both of these issues are avoidable. Below is an example of improper installation & the resulting failure from a side load during a tide change. This failure could have been avoided with the addition of a few links of chain between the swivel & the anchor.
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