anchor rode issues 2018 RT 31 CB

[Marnis]

Hi all,

Several times when I have tried retrieving my anchor line the chain has popped off the nylon guide roller. This seems to happen only when the anchor line is off center of the anchor roller guide. I would think that as I retrieve the anchor the bow would point towards the line allowing it to line up properly with the nylon guide roller. Has anyone experienced this or a similar problem? What suggestions do you have. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Marnis

 

[Red Raven]

Go slow and let the boat angle/position adjust before pulling more chain up if it is pulling at an angle. Do not use the windlass to aggressively pull the boat over to the anchor. If there is wind or current you need to use the throttle and steering to drive the boat towards the chain. In our case my wife drives the boat while I handle the windlass. With no wind or current a short tap on the windlass controls will likely give the bow enough momentum to straighten things out.

If you get too far off center the chain can bind in the nylon roller. Not good!

 

[baz]

Maybe slow down the anchor retrieval speed, thus allowing the bow to gradually move and align itself to the rode. Just a thought....

 

[marcham]

Are you pulling the rode up vertically? Windlasses are designed to pull the rode up, not pull the boat forward. If the rode is pointing down, it shouldn't be able to skip. Use the engine to pull forward and stay aligned.

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk

 

[Tug Travelers]

When I pull up the rode I use small "on" cycles of the windlass. Assuming the anchorage is calm, I activate the windlass for maybe 5 seconds until it is snug. I then let the weight of the chain straighten out the boat and pull the boat forward. While it is doing that I make sure the rode is laying correctly in the chain locker. As the tension becomes less on the rode. I activate the windlass again and repeat the process.

Now if there is wind or current you will need to use the engine to take the load off of the anchor rode.

I have never had the anchor rode do what you described.

I think the key, as others have mentioned, is just take it slow and try to make it as easy as possible for the windlass to pull up the anchor rode.

John

Tug Travelers
Guided Flotilla Cruises

 

[ALICE J]

I’ve had another issue with using a chain road. I put 100 feet of chain then plaited 5/8” nylon rode. I have worn out three gypsies on the windlass as the chain began to slip on the wildcat. Talking with the chain manufacture he indicated that the chain was twisting as it came up from the bottom over the rollers into the wildcat and that this was causing the wear. The solution was a quality chain swivel form Mantus Anchors. I have also replace the plastic rollers with bronze rollers. This swivel has reduced the wear considerably .

 

[Tug Travelers]

That is a really interesting comment about the benefit of using a swivel on the anchor rode.

I have been using the Mantus Swivel for a couple of years now. I have not had a problem with the chain skipping on the gypsy.

Maybe that was a good preventive maintenance purchase : )

John
Tug Travelers
Guided Flotilla Cruises

 

[Marnis]

What size Mantus swivel would I need for the stock chain that comes with the 2018 RT 31?
Thanks

 

[Wee Venture]

You want the Mantus S1. I also have a 2018 R-31CB and the factory supplied chain is 5/16” G40 (HT). I used the Mantus S1 between our chain and anchor and am very happy with it.

John B

 

[Brian B]

There is more than one article online relating that a swivel is the weakest link.
See the Rocna site kb.rocna.com/kb/Swivels
"The failure mode of swivels is typically when they are subjected to lateral forces. This means it is ideal to install the swivel in such a way that lateral forces cannot be applied across the joint. One way to do this is to use a reputable inline type with a few links of chain between the anchor and the swivel. Generally, installing the swivel directly on the anchor shank is not a great idea."

 

[Tug Travelers]

You are absolutely correct about most swivels being the weak link.

The Mantus is a completely different design then all the other swivels I have ever seen. It attaches to the anchor with a shackle and looks to be very strong. I don't know what the weakest part of the Mantus swivel is, but it might be stronger than the chain.

John
Tug Travelers
Guided Flotilla Cruises

 

[baz]

A swivel also eliminates the twirling anchor action as it gets retrieved when the chain is twisted and especially as the anchor approaches the boat's stem/bow.

Good quality swivels are not cheap either. My last one cost me $90. 😱

 

[Wee Venture]

Mantus does indeed claim their swivel is stronger than the chain that it attaches to and that it eliminates the problem of lateral forces. Having seen and installed it myself, I believe it.