What is the best type of anchor rope to use?

Question

I have a 20m trawler weighing approx 78 tons constructed of malleable iron. I live aboard and am anchored in the bay during the summer months so the anchor rope is in almost constant use.
I need to replace the anchor rope and want to know the best type and size of rope I should use. 
the rope is attached to heavy chain

any advice or Information would be greatly appreciated.

Larry M · Accepted Answer

While chain is preferable for your boat, if your going to use rode instead, your best off to go with nylon.  It sinks, is chafe and UV resistant but most of all, stretches and provides excellent shock absorbency.

To prolong the life of the rode, you should install some sort of chafing gear at the point where the line makes contact with the boat. A large piece of hose sliced lengthways and wrapped around the line works well and is cheaper to replace when it wears out.

I think you'll find that 30mm is a bit shy for the size of you boat.  I would want to up that by at least half it's size again; a little for it's strength and a lot for it's abrasion resistance.

benthic_man · Answer

Chain throughout would be far smarter for your application. That being said, if there's some reason why you absolutely had to have rope, you would want a 1 1/2" diameter Dynel or Dynel/Nylon blend.  Good shock absorption and, equally important, abrasion resistance.  

  While a lot of folks might think you'd need heavier rope, you aren't dangling your boat in the air. The dynamic forces imposed on a vessel at anchor, plus the ability of the yarns to withstand the constant abrasion caused by mud and sediment in the weave mean that elasticity, specifically the assurance that your rope will return to its' original length after being stretched, is probably the most critical component of riding out weather. 

 You're going to need to monitor and replace the rope fairly regularly. Chain would be cheaper.

yankee_sailor · Answer

78 tons? You need to use an all chain anchor rode, me son......rope would be impractical as you'd need something well in excess of 2" , which has a breaking strength of ( only!) 40 tons......

kelly_f_1999 · Answer

what type of rope it have now

cut it off take a part with you to match it up

lampert · Answer

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What is the best type of anchor rope to use?

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