[Rhodes22-list] Anchor Chain Question

[Bill Effros]

Slim,

A similar passage exists in later editions of Chapman.  My problem with 
it is the shifting explanations for the function of the chain.  The 
catenary theory is only valid for all chain rode, and cannot be applied 
to 6 feet of chain on 180 feet of rode.  The strength theory makes no 
sense if you attach the chain to line--that won't make the line 
stronger.  The lying on the bottom theory doesn't work if you have to 
pull on the rode to set the anchor--obviously you pull the chain off the 
bottom, and the rode goes in a straight line to the bow--at exactly the 
same angle as it would if it were an all line rode.  My anchors don't 
bury so completely they take part of the rode with them.  My line comes 
up clean.  I've never seen any chafe on my line, although I have seen 
rust on my chain.

I've never seen a claim that additional chain will improve Danforth 
anchor setting on weedy bottoms. 

So why chain?  I think the real reason is that everyone else does 
it..."the consensus appears to be...".

Bill Effros

Steve Alm wrote:

>"Today the consensus appears to be that for most average conditions, the
>ideal rode is a combination of nylon line and a short length of chain (6 to
>8 feet; longer is desirable) between the line and the anchor.
>
>"One effect of chain in this combination rode is to lower the angle of pull,
>because the chain tends to lie on the bottom.  Of equal, perhaps greater,
>significance is the fact that modern lightweight anchors often bury
>completely, taking part of the rode with them.  Chain stands the chafe, and
>sand has less chance to penetrate strands of the fiber line higher up.  Sand
>doesn't stick to chain and mud is easily washed off.  Without chain, nylon
>gets very dirty in mud."
>
>-Chapman, 57th Edition
>
>9 out of 10 times I've anchored for the night, I've been in a protected cove
>with little wind and no current where a rock with a line tied to it and 2:1
>scope would keep me from drifting.  But the tenth time when the wind came
>up,  the Danforth with 12 feet of chain and 8 or 9:1 scope still dragged
>across the weedy bottom.  So there is no one single solution.  If you can
>get by with the light tackle, no chain and from the stern, (and I believe
>sometimes you can) then lucky you!  But you'd better have a certainty about
>the bottom and the weather, and you'd best be checking your anchorage every
>so often.  I'd sleep better knowing I followed Chapman's advice.
>Slim
>
>On 3/22/05 8:22 AM, "Mary Lou Troy" <mltroy at verizon.net> wrote:
>
>  
>
>>At 12:22 AM 3/22/2005 -0500, Bill Effros wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>Oh, and by the way, Chapman recommends all line rode.
>>>      
>>>
>>Which edition? Mine (56th - older) seems to recommend chain and nylon - 6-8
>>feet of chain minimum - "more is better"
>>
>>Mary Lou
>>
>>
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