I would not try to simulate the weight benefit of chain with anything that's less abraision resistant than chain - like lead weighted rode. While that could substitute for the nice low angle pull on the anchor stock and, if long enough for the dampening effect chain gives (due to the increasing force it takes to pull it to a more and more straight line), one of the other big benefits of chain (lots of it) seems to be that it doesn't get cut on (submerged) coral, rocks, car-wrecks, ship-wrecks, junk...
A question to "driving" the anchor out with a mac:
Often people motor up to their anchor until the line is (almost) vertical under the bow roller, cleat the line (or put on windlass) and drive further to break the anchor loose and than haul it up. How does one do this best with a mac - especially if it doesn't have a bow-roller and windlass? Lots of finger-pinching danger here - or?
Ralf
Anchor for weeds
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Frank C
Before installing my roller, I always had Mate motor close to vertical and then hoisted while leaning over the pulpit. The 15' of chain was a PITA due to its being rough on the hands and the gelcoat. After installing the roller, it's much, much more pleasant.
It was really difficult to break my anchor free only one time. That night we had a two-Mac-raft on my primary anchor (Guardian) and 30kn winds came up for several hours. The weight of both Macs, plus the winds really "set" the anchor that night. I had to cleat the rode and ask Mate drive over the anchor to pull it free of heavy mud.
They recommend backing-down the anchor with a goodly degree of horsepower, probably to duplicate that sort of bury.
It was really difficult to break my anchor free only one time. That night we had a two-Mac-raft on my primary anchor (Guardian) and 30kn winds came up for several hours. The weight of both Macs, plus the winds really "set" the anchor that night. I had to cleat the rode and ask Mate drive over the anchor to pull it free of heavy mud.
They recommend backing-down the anchor with a goodly degree of horsepower, probably to duplicate that sort of bury.
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craiglaforce
- Captain
- Posts: 831
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 8:30 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Houston, Tx
Sounds kinda goofy to put lead inside of a nylon rode. Nylon stretchs a huge amount and lead of course does not stretch. Can't imagine how they "seal" it in there.
I simply use 1/2 3 strand nylon and 6 feet of heavy chain attached to the 13 lb superhooker. Works great where i anchor (mud) , just enough chain to add a little weight to the end and provide abrasion resistance. The nylon always comes up clean and the anchor is cleaned easily with a few splashes in the water when it surfaces. Half inch is easier on the hands than 3/8" and still stretches to protect the fittings on the boat from shocks.
Never had a problem breaking the anchor out, except once when it caught under another anchor and chain that had been abandoned and some sort of underwater cable. I pulled and pulled and finally up came the hole mess. I unhooked the other anchor and tossed it away and then released the cable from my anchor. Probably made someone's cable tv flicker for a minute there.
Mud everywhere.
I simply use 1/2 3 strand nylon and 6 feet of heavy chain attached to the 13 lb superhooker. Works great where i anchor (mud) , just enough chain to add a little weight to the end and provide abrasion resistance. The nylon always comes up clean and the anchor is cleaned easily with a few splashes in the water when it surfaces. Half inch is easier on the hands than 3/8" and still stretches to protect the fittings on the boat from shocks.
Never had a problem breaking the anchor out, except once when it caught under another anchor and chain that had been abandoned and some sort of underwater cable. I pulled and pulled and finally up came the hole mess. I unhooked the other anchor and tossed it away and then released the cable from my anchor. Probably made someone's cable tv flicker for a minute there.
Mud everywhere.