What Do You Use For Spare Anchor Rode?

[CaspersCruiser]

I have replaced the 130’ 3-strand 5/8” nylon line and 50’ G4 chain anchor rode combo that came with the boat with a 200’ 8-plait nylon line and 30’ of G4 chain combo. The new line and chain combo is a better fit for the shallow anchor rode locker on my 2012 R27.

I had thought I would keep the old rode on the boat for my spare anchor, but it weighs a lot, but more importantly, it takes up A LOT of space. At the moment, I have 100’ of nylon line and 10’ of chain for the spare.

My boating is mostly inland lakes and rivers east of the Mississippi plus the Intracoastal Waterway, but I do cruise the Great Lakes. What do eastern Tugnuts use for spare anchor rode?

 

[Red Raven]

Our spare rode and anchor are kept under the starboard V-berth cushion. That location helps to offset the weight of the dinghy motor hanging on the port stern. Our spare prop is under the forward v-berth cushion. The spaces under the V-berth cushions are not very convenient for anything that gets regular use anyway.

Curt

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

I keep a spare anchor, chain and rope code in the starboard v berth. This is my setup:

https://youtu.be/On6Z8Ko9-xo


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CaspersCruiser]

The starboard V-berth storage bin is where the spare anchor and rode is now. I also use that space for spare parts storage. The old rode would completely fill that space. I’m going to stay with my existing spare rode and add a longer chain.

 

[BB marine]

If this is your spare anchor rode and anchor 10' of chain and 100' rode should be sufficient. In the 6 years of cruising the areas that you cruise in I have used my spare rode once for a stern anchor in a narrow anchorage. Boating in the midwest and Florida there are few anchorages that I need more than 75' to 100' of rode. For the most part I only use 50' of chain to anchor unless the water is deeper than 15' or more. Using a good anchor and 50' of chain will work ok even with a 3 or 4 to 1. If it gets windy let a little more out. My spare anchor is the little Lewmar Bruce that came with my Cutwater. 15' of chain 100' of 8 plait rode. This combination was easily stored in my C26 and I still use it with my 34' Pilot. It is a spare and will work in an emergency if I loose my main ground tackle or as a stern anchor.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

My spare anchor is the little Lewmar Bruce that came with my Cutwater. 15' of chain 100' of 8 plait rode. This combination was easily stored in my C26 and I still use it with my 34' Pilot. It is a spare and will work in an emergency if I loose my main ground tackle or as a stern anchor.

As always, good advice. The spare anchor is the OEM Bruce. I am going to replace the line portion of the spare rode with 8 plait. That’s what I bought to replace the original 5/8 3-strand nylon for the main anchor. It’s nice stuff.

 

[ALICE J]

I do a lot of anchoring with my 2011 R27 and have 100’ of 5/16 chain and 200’ of 5/8 eight plait nylon. I originally got this for my trip to Alaska and put on a 35 Manson Supreme anchor. My spare anchor is Fortress 22 with 150 ‘ of 1/2” eight plait line. I tried using the 5/8 inch plait line from the original equipment, but found that it did not have enough stretch consequently it was always pulling out the 22 Fortress in a short chop seaway. I switched to half inch plaited line and added 4 feet of 3/8 inch stainless chain and it has worked very well ,I just needed the extra stretch that a small line afforded. I store my Fortress on the foredeck tied to a stanchion. I cruise in a lot of out-of-the-way places with many times no other boats around to help me if I get in trouble, my anchoring system has served me well, but I recognize that other folks develop a system that works well for them and their style of cruising.

 

[FlyMeAway]

The Cadillac system here is Ultraline Dyneema flatline, which also doubles for many other uses (e.g., a tow rope).

https://www.ultramarine.com.tr/en/ultra ... rope-reel/

Just beware it's going to cost you a boat buck or more 🙂

 

[ALICE J]

I would be vary cautious about dyneema line, , yes very strong but also very slippery to hold on to if you must pull it in by hand. Dyneema is very prone to chafe and sun degradation unless covered in a compatible covering. Generally 3/8” line is the smallest to pull by hand, 1/2” is more preferable. Dyneema does not stretch. If your considering anchor line or dock line, nylon is tops on my list, and 8 plait is superior in it’s ability to hold knots and coiling neatly and in a small space, relative to three strand and braid

 

[FlyMeAway]

I would be vary cautious about dyneema line, , yes very strong but also very slippery to hold on to if you must pull it in by hand. Dyneema is very prone to chafe and sun degradation unless covered in a compatible covering. Generally 3/8” line is the smallest to pull by hand, 1/2” is more preferable. Dyneema does not stretch. If your considering anchor line or dock line, nylon is tops on my list, and 8 plait is superior in it’s ability to hold knots and coiling neatly and in a small space, relative to three strand and braid

The flatline is not a line. I would read the product description and then do a little research. You can also get a polypro version of the flatline, though the Dyneema version is much more versatile.

Dyneema is actually quite UV resistant, especially when coated. The flatline also naturally protects the core of the webbing from UV. There are reasons not to use the flatline as your primary anchor line, but a backup is a different story. I think the issues you raise are not applicable to OPs question.