Get Ready to Anchor with a Rope/Chain Anchor Line Package

The anchor line packages we offer are best understood in terms of an anchor rode, which is used to connect a boat to its anchor. Anchor rodes can be all rope, all chain or a combination of both. The term “anchor line” as used here refers to the nylon portion of the rode.

Anchor rodes generally consist of a long length of nylon line with an eye splice and a thimble to which is shackled a short length of galvanized chain. Alternatively, a rope-to-chain splice can be used to connect the chain to the line. Rope-to-chain splices are often used to enable the rode to be used with a windlass.

The most common line used for anchor rodes is three-strand nylon line, which is elastic and able to absorb the shock loads generated during anchoring. Double-braid nylon line can also be used. However, although it is stronger than three-strand nylon line, it is not as elastic. We also offer single-braid line pre-spliced to chain for use with Lewmar windlasses.

The anchor packages we offer generally include 150 feet to 300 feet of line, 6 feet to 30 feet of chain and two shackles. Rode packages are an easy way to buy everything you need for anchoring, except for the anchor.

What length of rode do you require?

Your anchor rode should be long enough to provide adequate scope for the deepest location where you anchor. Scope is the length of the anchor rode divided by the water depth and freeboard. At a minimum, your rode should provide at least 5:1, but preferably 7:1 scope. For example, if you are in 25 feet of water with freeboard of 5 feet and want to set an anchor with 5:1 scope, you will need a 150 foot rode. Adequate scope is required for an anchor to properly set and hold.

What size anchor line do you need?

A “ballpark” figure is 1/8 inch of line diameter for every 9 feet of boat length. However, this rule of thumb can vary with windage. Heavy or high-windage boats can use 1/8 inch of line for each 8 feet of boat length; and lightweight boats can use 1/8 inch of line for each 10 feet of boat length.

We are ready to help!

For more help with choosing an anchor rode, see our West Advisors Do-It-Yourself: Upgrading Your Anchor Rode and Selecting an Anchor Rode. Of course, West Marine associates are always ready to help at a store near you.