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Anchoring & Docking Buyer's Guides  Go Back  All Gear Guides
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Anchor Rodes
Author: MariSafe
The selection of anchor rodes for your boat is of primary importance even if all your outings on the water last only a few hours. If your engine dies or any other emergency arises, knowing that you can drop an anchor and secure your boat is a necessity. Choosing anchor rodes should be based on your current and potential anchorages, your boat's windage and its displacement. And just like anchors, no one rode will work in all anchoring situations. For more information on this topic, see the MariSafe Gear Guide to Anchors.
RODE TYPES
There are three different rode types to consider, each with its advantages and disadvantages: all-nylon rope, all-chain and a combination nylon rope/chain rode.
All-Nylon Rodes
Three-strand twist, single and double braided nylon rope make excellent rodes.
Advantages:
The inherent stretch in nylon places less loading on the anchor and boat.
Nylon is quiet and easy to handle.
It’s easier to replace in a remote location.
Nylon is lightweight and its flexibility makes it easy to handle and stow, so it's the best choice for small boats, lunch hooks and spare anchors.
Disadvantages:
The biggest drawback to nylon rodes is chafe. Chafe gear is essential in rough weather or for prolonged use.
- The light weight allows boats laying on an all-nylon anchor rode to “sail” around their anchor and offers little catenary (horizontal pull) to help the anchor set properly.
When selecting between three-strand twist and braided nylon rope, consider these characteristics:
- Three-strand twist nylon rope costs less than braided nylon, has more elasticity, and is more chafe-resistant than braided nylon.
- Braided nylon is more flexible than three-strand, has a higher breaking strength and doesn’t hockle (kink) like three-strand twist.
All Chain Rodes
As with nylon rope, there are advantages and disadvantages to all-chain rodes.
Advantages:
Chain is nearly impervious to chafe and is the best choice for use in rock or coral bottoms.
Disadvantages:
Under wind loading, the chain can become bar tight and place tremendous loads on the boat and anchor.
Chain is heavy and usually necessitates a windlass, which adds even more weight to the bow of the boat. This may produce a "hobby horse" effect in lighter-displacement boats.
There are four types of chain: BBB, proof coil, high-test and stainless steel.
- Proof coil is sufficient for most anchoring uses and is the least expensive.
- BBB chain fits many windlass gypsies and is stronger than proof coil.
- Hi-test (HT) chain has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than proof coil or BBB, allowing you to use a smaller size to reduce the weight of the chain.
- Stainless steel chain is expensive, but its corrosion- and chafe-resistance provide longer life.
Rope/Chain Rodes
The best compromise between an
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