Anchor line/rode size

[undercover500]

I was at Harbor Freight the other day and I picked up 3 100 foot bundles of quarter inch rope, with the idea that it might work for an anchor. It says it has a safe working load of 300lbs and a breaking of 900lbs. We have an 18 foot bowrider, and would only be anchoring as a lunch hook in inland lakes, we're not talking a 33 foot CC out on the ocean here. I don't know what I was thinking, it seems a little thin and weak now, but I'm not sure if anyone has similar rope. We have a 15lb Navy anchor and 10 feet of chain, as we'll be anchoring mostly in mucky bottoms. Should I upgrade to a thicker, stronger rope or would this be okay? I'd hate to lose my anchor at the bottom.

 

[dingbat]

I was at Harbor Freight the other day and I picked up 3 100 foot bundles of quarter inch rope, with the idea that it might work for an anchor. It says it has a safe working load of 300lbs and a breaking of 900lbs. We have an 18 foot bowrider, and would only be anchoring as a lunch hook in inland lakes, we're not talking a 33 foot CC out on the ocean here. I don't know what I was thinking, it seems a little thin and weak now, but I'm not sure if anyone has similar rope. We have a 15lb Navy anchor and 10 feet of chain, as we'll be anchoring mostly in mucky bottoms. Should I upgrade to a thicker, stronger rope or would this be okay? I'd hate to lose my anchor at the bottom.

General rule is 1/8" per 9 foot of boat length so you should be good.

The question I have...what is the rope made of?
Stretch and rot are not good?

 

[undercover500]

General rule is 1/8" per 9 foot of boat length so you should be good.

The question I have...what is the rope made of?
Stretch and rot are not good?

It is polyester, which from my bit of searching, is decent for anchor rope.

1/4 in. x 100 ft. Diamond Braid Rope

Amazing deals on this 1/4In X 100Ft Diamond Braid Rope at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Strangely, enough they had "anchor" rope next to it, but it was more expensive (I got the one above on sale for 3.99), made out of that cheap blue stuff, floated and had maybe half the strength.

This is what I saw: https://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-x-100-ft-polypropylene-anchor-line-97643.html

At least you're helping me regret being cheap a little less lol, more money for the fuel tank right?

 

[QBhoy]

For an inland lake and generally anchored in soft muddy or Sandy bottom…I have about 10/15ft of chain and a 5kg Bruce anchor. Use it for my 19ft and have the same for my 18ft. As long as that chain is on the bottom it’s always been good. Anything wilder or leaving overnight…might need more chain…but for observes day use…be fine

 

[undercover500]

For an inland lake and generally anchored in soft muddy or Sandy bottom…I have about 10/15ft of chain and a 5kg Bruce anchor. Use it for my 19ft and have the same for my 18ft. As long as that chain is on the bottom it’s always been good. Anything wilder or leaving overnight…might need more chain…but for observes day use…be fine

What width anchor rode do you have? We went with the Navy, it's like a fluke but beefier, I figured it would do decently well in mud or sand. Was kind of looking for a more universal anchor, has the weight to dig into mud but also has flukes to hold in sand.

 

[QBhoy]

What width anchor rode do you have? We went with the Navy, it's like a fluke but beefier, I figured it would do decently well in mud or sand. Was kind of looking for a more universal anchor, has the weight to dig into mud but also has flukes to hold in sand.

It’s just the standard “Bruce” anchor. Often called an M anchor too. I don’t think there is a better type of anchor for general use in that type of bottom. I’ve tried many. As you’ll also know…all about the chain too though.

 

[tpenfield]

seems a bit light, and I would think all the cool kids will have at least 3/8" rodes.

 

[racerone]

Line is rated for a certain load.----But that is when line is new.-----Anchor line tends to chafe and wear.-----So treat line with care and add a sleeve to protect it.

 

[Alumarine]

I'd be concerned about the 1/4" line cutting into my hands or being hard to grasp if the anchor gets stuck.

 

[undercover500]

I'd be concerned about the 1/4" line cutting into my hands or being hard to grasp if the anchor gets stuck.

I am keeping a set of gloves on board for this very reason

 

[Chris1956]

1/4 line is too light. it will chafe and weaken easily. Sand always gets into anchor line weave, and with thin line like that it will weaken quickly. Also, if the anchor gets hung up, you will be able to snap that thin line, loosing the anchor.

3/8" line is minimum. One day I snagged a rock in the inlet. I thought my 3/8" line would snap. The next day I bought 300' of 1/2" 3 strand nylon line on the internet for $40.

 

[JimS123]

First of all, never buy rope for an anchor. You need line.

For your size boat and bottom type, a 3/8" braided nylon line is what you need. A 4-6" rubber coated chain added to the rode should be fine.

Personally, I find navy anchors work OK on my 14 foot tinny, but for your boat I would use nothing less than a Danforth.

If you normal anchor depth is about 20 feet, 100 feet of line should be enough.

I would't tie my horse up with rope from HF.

 

[H20Rat]

First of all, never buy rope for an anchor. You need line.

OK, i'll bite... The top 20 google sites all say rope is basically line without a purpose. Line being a nautical term for rope that does something.. You attach rope to an anchor, at which point it becomes line.

Unless I'm completely missing something, technically anchor 'line' would only be 2nd hand, otherwise it is rope? Might be missing something here!

 

[roscoe]

I spell anchor U L T E R R A , Ulterra.

 

[JimS123]

OK, i'll bite... The top 20 google sites all say rope is basically line without a purpose. Line being a nautical term for rope that does something.. You attach rope to an anchor, at which point it becomes line.

Unless I'm completely missing something, technically anchor 'line' would only be 2nd hand, otherwise it is rope? Might be missing something here!

I apologize for my sarcasm. I am often reminded by comments made by an old salt who was a retired Naval Officer and had served in combat in more than one war. When you said rope to him in reference to something remotely associated with a boat, his eyes would turn red. And of course the only "boat" in the Navy was a Submarine or a Gig.

In any event, anyone that goes "boating" should know what the terms are, and naturally should take a Safe Boating Course.

 

[Horigan]

OK, i'll bite... The top 20 google sites all say rope is basically line without a purpose. Line being a nautical term for rope that does something.. You attach rope to an anchor, at which point it becomes line.

Actually, it becomes rode.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I apologize for my sarcasm. I am often reminded by comments made by an old salt who was a retired Naval Officer and had served in combat in more than one war. When you said rope to him in reference to something remotely associated with a boat, his eyes would turn red. And of course the only "boat" in the Navy was a Submarine or a Gig.

In any event, anyone that goes "boating" should know what the terms are, and naturally should take a Safe Boating Course.

When I park at the dock I use rope to tie the boat off, when somebody is going to ski I throw them the tow rope, when I anchor use anchor rope. If somebody insists I use their terms at my place on my boats I tell them to get over themselves.

 

[dingbat]

OK, i'll bite... The top 20 google sites all say rope is basically line without a purpose. Line being a nautical term for rope that does something.. You attach rope to an anchor, at which point it becomes line.

Goes along with "boaters" that quote nautical distance and speed in Miles....lol

 

[JimS123]

There are Boatmen, and there are Boaters, and there are guys who just own a boat. In the latter case, many don't carry insurance nor take boating courses, so they are some of the problems on the water.

A real boater takes pride in his equipment and strives to learn new things about the sport.

Remember the guy that wrote in because he had a problem with his wench?

Recently a local convent had a crew of construction workers doing repairs outside. A Novice Nun went to Mother Superior and complained because they were bad men and were not using the correct terms about what they were working on. The Mother said they were really good men, just calling a spade a spade. The Nun said Oh No sister, they are calling it a F*&^ing Shovel.

Words may be just words, but it is admirable to teach the youngins the right ones....

 

[H20Rat]

Actually, it becomes rode.

Since we are splitting hairs, the line is still a line. The rode is the entire assembly including the chain.