Anchor rode to chain... splice or thimble with shackle

[NYSail]

Hello great ones......

Bought new anchor last year (Mason Supreme 35). This year bought 50 feet of 3/8th chain and 200 feet of 5/8 3 strand rode. I do have a windlass, however do not use it as it is an after thought and does not drop the rode in the locker so it makes more work to use. Anyway, with my last set up, the wife spliced the rode to the chain.... With my new stuff, I bought the shackles, but wife thinks that she should again splice/braid the rode into the chain. Assuming a good splice/braid, what is stronger. The rode has a breaking strength of 12,000lbs and the s/s shackles (5/8) have a strength of 5,600lbs. Is it stronger to splice/braid??

As always I value the opinions of this list!!

Thanks!
Greg

 

[higgs]

Interesting question. I wonder if there have been any tests. Certainly the rope to chain splice has become accepted. I use it and no problems yet.

 

[RichH]

Here ya go ... warp to chain splice. http://www.bluemoment.com/warpchainsplice.html

Much better/stronger than a common 'crown back splice'.

 

[Jim Seamans]

The Bluemoment wrap chain splice t is probably stronger but beware that if you start using the windlass it will eat the splice. I tried this a few years ago and within about five up and downs notice the line was being chafed very quickly. Went back to the crown splice. Crown splice moves through the windlass very well. YMMV...

 

[Alex Dare]

A properly done splice is really pretty strong so I don't think in most anchor rode applications, ultimate strength of the splice is really the issue. Most problems with parted anchor rodes are chafe related and the more you can do to avoid potential chafe, the better. Splicing the three strand directly to the chain with a tapered backsplice has become popular because that's whats needed for the newer combination chain/rope gypsies to feed automatically from rope to chain. While the bluemoment splice looks substantial it certainly appears that you are introducing a whole lot of chain/rope potential abrasion points.

Personally, if I don't need it to automatically transition on a rope/chain gypsy, I 'd stay with a well done eye splice over a properly sized stainless thimble shackled to the anchor.
BTW, you're tougher than I am, 50' of 3/8 has got some heft to it.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Oh

 

[NYSail]

Hello all... ended up trying the Bluemoment wrap splice. Seems to be an interesting splice, easy to tie and worked just fine. Had one big blow while on the hook and all held well. Did not use the windless... 12 feet of water with my wife at the helm moving the boat forward equals about 12+ pounds being pulled up once I get to the chain which is not a big deal.

Again, thanks for all the input

Greg

 

[thinwater]

Brian Toss thinks otherwise

Hello all... ended up trying the Bluemoment wrap splice. Seems to be an interesting splice, easy to tie and worked just fine. Had one big blow while on the hook and all held well. Did not use the windless... 12 feet of water with my wife at the helm moving the boat forward equals about 12+ pounds being pulled up once I get to the chain which is not a big deal.

Again, thanks for all the input

Greg

This, from the Brian Toss forum:
___________________________________________________________________
Brion Toss

Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 657

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Hello,
If our tests are any indication, you'll be lucky to get 70% efficiency with the weave-it-into-the-rope version. It brings up a lot of mud, too, which is why we nicknamed it the "Shovel Splice". See a better version here: http://www.neropes.com/SPL_12Braid_Megaplait.aspx.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
___________________________________________________________________

I can't understand the vilification of the crown splice. It works fine, is easy to learn (though perhaps the shovel splice looks easier), and is stronger. Either sort of splice needs re-done periodically because of corrosion and wear. Those that suggest thimbles don't have compact vertical windlasses. Have you noticed that pre-spliced chains are never done that way? There are solid reasons it is common practice.


But like any anchor thread....