Anchor Rode

  • June 13, 2011 7:33 AM
    Message # 620127
    Deleted user
    Everyone has an opinion about equipment, but I'd be interested in hearing the pros and cons of 5/8" three-strand nylon vs. braided rope for my anchor rodes.  I'm told that three-strand tangles more readily, and of course braided is more flexible.   What do the majority of you folks use?   I've been offered a great deal on two three-strand 250" rodes.  -Tom
  • June 13, 2011 10:46 AM
    Reply # 620272 on 620127
    Deleted user

    Hi Tom,

    I have been using 5/8 nylon three strand for quite a few years, 250' feet on a Bruce bow anchor and 250' on a Danforth stern anchor with good results. Nylon is important for it's "shock absorbing" qualities and remains fairly supple over a long period of time. I soak them in a cooler filled with water and fabric softener, as I do my dock lines occasionally to keep them that way plus they smell pretty good.

    Werner

  • June 14, 2011 1:47 AM
    Reply # 620985 on 620127
    Thomas Koehl wrote:Everyone has an opinion about equipment, but I'd be interested in hearing the pros and cons of 5/8" three-strand nylon vs. braided rope for my anchor rodes.  I'm told that three-strand tangles more readily, and of course braided is more flexible.   What do the majority of you folks use?   I've been offered a great deal on two three-strand 250" rodes.  -Tom
    Thomas,

    Tell us about your "great deal". Is this a one-time offer on used line, or something that is available to all?

    I recently came across a vendor on eBay who seems to be a pretty good source for line. I've never purchased anything from him and can't really vouch for the quality of the product. But, the prices certainly seemed to be good. He has 5/8" x 250' with thimble priced at $120 + $40 shipping. That comes to $.64/ft.

    To compare, West Marine's price on 200' was $230 + shipping(?). They don't state shipping until you check out, but it's probably much lower. Even if you figure only $10 shipping, the cost per foot is $1.20/ft. Big difference (and they don't show 250' lengths).

    Bud could probably give you a good source for anchor line. And I have no idea about the product quality of the vendor I mentioned, but it might be worth a look...

         http://stores.ebay.com/Discount-Rope-and-Line?_rdc=1

    Jack

    Last modified: June 14, 2011 1:48 AM | Anonymous member
  • June 14, 2011 5:48 AM
    Reply # 621077 on 620127
    To be sure, there are some nylon braids made specifically for anchor rodes.  They wear better in extreme chafe conditions (hurricane) and they flake into less room.  But they also cost more.   Three strand nylon works fine for most of us.

    Lest anyone else misread, be sure to say that any braid used for anchor rode must stretch.  Low stretch materials like Dacron are unsuitable.


  • June 14, 2011 8:35 AM
    Reply # 621155 on 621077
    Dick Mills wrote:To be sure, there are some nylon braids made specifically for anchor rodes.  They wear better in extreme chafe conditions (hurricane) and they flake into less room.  But they also cost more.   Three strand nylon works fine for most of us.

    Lest anyone else misread, be sure to say that any braid used for anchor rode must stretch.  Low stretch materials like Dacron are unsuitable.


    Dick,

    The link that I posted above also has "Anchor Line 5/8 x 200 Dbl Braid nylon w/SS spliced eye" at $120 + $35 shipping. At first, I thought it was the same price, but notice it was for  200' vs 250'. Still, that works out to $0.77 per ft.

    I have no idea who manufactures the line, nor it's quality. The photo looks good, and it does have a suitable splice and whipping. One always has to be careful purchasing from eBay. But, the vendor has 9,050 feedback comments at 99.8%. That's usually a pretty good indication. Still, it is stated with the condition: "No return accepted". Perhaps you might take a look and tell us what you think. Or, perhaps someone else is familiar with this vendor or his products? As I recall, most of the cordage comes from your part of the country. Any idea how this compares to local prices?

    My rode is mostly chain. But, at that price, I'd be tempted to purchase a spool, coil it, and throw it in the locker with my sea anchor (heaven forbid, I should need it).

  • June 15, 2011 6:32 AM
    Reply # 621932 on 620127
    It does look attractive, as do the other ropes listed for that seller.  But I have no clue as to the quality of the goods since they don't identify the manufacturer. 
  • June 15, 2011 12:12 PM
    Reply # 622172 on 621932
    Dick Mills wrote:It does look attractive, as do the other ropes listed for that seller.  But I have no clue as to the quality of the goods since they don't identify the manufacturer. 
    I was wondering the same thing and sent a message to the vendor. His reply...

    "Performance Rope and Supply. Seattle Wa.  I bought the remaining inventory after they closed down."

    I did a search on the company name and it's likely that the cordage was imported from China...

    http://www.importgenius.com/importers/performance-rope-and-supply-llc

    I don't know if that's good or bad, but perhaps it helps. The prices are surely attractive.

    Last modified: June 15, 2011 12:20 PM | Anonymous member
  • June 15, 2011 8:01 PM
    Reply # 622634 on 620127
    Deleted user

    I requested a quote from Miami Cordage just to see what their prices would be. Not too bad and it is American made although some Floridians living above the frost line would disagree with that. I emailed a quote request in the afternoon and had an email response waiting next morning.

    http://www.imakerope.com/

    AL582508 5/8" X 250' WHITE

    3-STRAND NYLON ANCHOR LINE

    W/THIMBLE

     212.80

    The dockline same size was quoted at $ .828 per foot for 250'

    You can even design your own custom line for those that have money just burning a hole in their pocket.

    Werner

    Tom,

    Had to get back to Florida. Sorry we couldn't connect. Next trip up hopefully.

     

  • June 16, 2011 11:25 AM
    Reply # 623136 on 620127

    I personally recommend braided nylon for anchor line, mainly from my experience when I was skippering boats for a living, and dealing with three strand anchor line jamming when coming out of the small deck fitting.  Primarily when the anchor line has been used for a while, and has a lot of salt encrusted in it.

    I can supply braided anchor line with a thimble spliced on at about the same price as on the post.  It is made by a local rope manufacturer close to me in So Cal.  I also get all of my very low stretch braided dacron line from the same manufacturer.  Good quality at a very favorable price, in my humble opinion.

  • June 18, 2011 6:04 PM
    Reply # 624735 on 620127
    Deleted user

    One of our anchors is on 100 feet of 5/8 nylon megabraid backed by 150 feet of 5/8 3 strand nylon backed by 100 feet of 3/8 polybraid. The polybraid is so that we can retrieve the anchor by locating the floating line in the event we had to cut loose and run, leaving the anchor behind.  The megabraid is much easier to work with than the 3 strand.  It never hockles.

     

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