Anchor Chain Tie-off Question

[bajturner]

I currently have a line-only anchor rode with no windlass and I plan to add about 20' of chain to it. With just anchor line, the anchor is held in the roller while underway by tying-off the line to the cleat on the deck between the anchor chute and the hause pipe, then securing the safety cable for redundancy.

Once I add the chain I will not be able to tie-off this way. Any advice on the best way to tie-off the chain? I thought of using chain hook (like on a snubber) and a short line which I could tie to the same cleat, but seems a bit untidy and could come loose. I have seen anchor tensioners and grabbers that attach to the deck as well, but I'm not sure how well they work.

Thanks!

 

[MonacoMike]

I looked at all options and chose build a stainless cable and carbiner for a safety catch.

MM

 

[mwph]

MM,
I think he is looking for a way to secure the chain. All three of us have & use the "safety cable". Only you have the windlass which actually secures the chain.

bajturner,
Two things to consider... 1.) Will your chain's diameter (the chain you propose using) fit through the opening into your anchor locker, and 2.) any method you come up with to secure the chain will have to be tight enough to keep the chain off of the deck of the boat. Otherwise the chain will beat the hell out of the fiberglass. My slip neighbor has some rubber coated chain to protect his deck, but I think it looks, well, not so nice, it just isnt worth it.

I have put alot of thought into adding chain & how I would secure it. However, the waters that I anchor my sized boat in are mud bottom, next to zero current and pretty much always protected from wind. For a couple of reasons, safety included, chain may be best, but it doesn't seem to be a must have. Thankfully, the 99 330 has the windlas as standard equipment!:grin:

 

[CV-23]

My chain (about 5ft) is plastic coated and mine just slips under the front cleat and does a loop. It's a bigger link and less flexible than MM's and I have rope attached to it, Mike.

 

[ChuckW]

Hey bajturner, Four Turtles is docked in my spot. :grin:

 

[JimG]

I used one of these on my 270:

 

[Lazy Daze]

I have 50' of chain (no windlass... yet). I have a piece of 5/16" double braid that is tied into the stainless snap hook from the securing cable. I simply use that to pull the anchor tight and tie off to the cleat. Simple, cheap and has been working that way for 4 years. I thought of adding a deck-mounted chain-tensioner, but the way I'm doing it works very well so I didn't see the need.

 

[SteveRuss]

I have the same set-up and do the same as Dennis. Added a ss shackle to the top hole on the anchor and then attach a spring clip with 1/4 rode to pull it tight and then secure to the cleat. Anchor is pulled up against the roller securely. Upon approach I remove the clip and line and just leave the safety line attached until I am ready to drop anchor. I've had it this way for a season and no marring of the fiberglass under the chain but I'm thinking of wrapping something around the chain while underway just in case. I have polished SS chain so maybe because there are no sharp edges and it is very smooth that has less affect on the fiberglass.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I use an old piece of 3/4" heater hose (garden hose or clear vinyl would work fine, too). I cut the length to fit from just into the anchor roller to the hawse pipe. Slit the hose lengthwise and slip it onto the chain.

The other way to do it would be to do something similar to what is done with a windlass. In that case, SR cut and fit a thin piece of starboard-type material to the deck. You can pickup small pieces of this material (1/4" thickness) pretty cheap. You can buy the actual piece from a dealer - they're not too expensive. I bought one with the anticipation of adding a windlass sometime. I'm pretty sure it was under $20.

The "slit" hose slips onto my bowrail when the anchor is deployed.

 

[bajturner]

Thanks for the great ideas everyone. I just need to decide whether I install a tensioner or use one of the cleat tie-off methods. I do have some 1/4" starboard kicking around that could be used.

Regarding the tensioners, I found these two online:
https://windline.com/index.php?act=viewdetails&mod=104
http://www.divendog.com/Pricelist.aspx?u=0&searchtype=c&bMSRP=1&bImage=1&category=2
I think I like the divendog one better...looks like a better finish and no press-fittings or rivets.

JimG, where did you get yours? It looks like it's good quality as well.

Are there any drawbacks to these tensioners?

 

[bajturner]

Hey bajturner, Four Turtles is docked in my spot. :grin:

Ha ha, too funny. I have had a few people comment they have the same picture. It's a great spot for pictures of your boat...and even your family if you wanted! :wink:

I wish it was summer and I was there right now!!

 

[JimG]

As for the chain tensioner, that one came from West Marine:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=50304&subdeptNum=50335&classNum=50337

 

[Lazy Daze]

Nothing wrong at all about the tensioners. As long as you're comfortable drilling/screwing/sealing into your deck, it's a perfectly acceptable method.

 

[bajturner]

As long as you're comfortable drilling/screwing/sealing into your deck, it's a perfectly acceptable method.

That's what the techs at the marina are for! :smt001

Should be a safe install. It would be in the deck above the rope locker, I think.

 

[Lazy Daze]

That's what the techs at the marina are for! :smt001

Should be a safe install. It would be in the deck above the rope locker, I think.

Yup - it'll be above the locker so you can through bolt. There will be coring that should be sealed... silicone the rest... make sure to chamfer the hole... other than that it's not hard - you can probably save a few bucks a do it yourself.

 

[MonacoMike]

I currently have a line-only anchor rode with no windlass

MM,
I think he is looking for a way to secure the chain. All three of us have & use the "safety cable". Only you have the windlass which actually secures the chain.

I apparently cannot read after midnight. MM :smt001

 

[dpmulvey]

If I may ask, is this a look good feel good thing or a necessity due to conditions?

If it's a look good feel good thing and you decide to add a windlass later, is there a signifigant cost difference between a rope model and a rope / chain model?

If adding the chain is a necessity due to conditions and don't want to drill to put a chain tensioner on deck, attach a hook and eye turnbuckle to the eye (or cleat) in the rode locker and tension the chain from there.

You can get them at Harbor Freight for about 5 dollars but the stainless quality is questionable. Or go to a hardware store and get a galvanized one and spray it with WD-40 once a week and change it every spring for a dollar. No big deal as it's not going to be seen anyhow.

HTH.

 

[bajturner]

...is this a look good feel good thing or a necessity...[if it] is a necessity due to conditions and [you] don't want to drill to put a chain tensioner on deck, attach a hook and eye turnbuckle to the eye (or cleat) in the rode locker and tension the chain from there.

I am adding the chain out of necessity, I suppose you would say, so the anchor will perform better and hopefully also allow me to get away with a little less scope. Regarding the tensioner or other retaining method, it is required to keep the anchor stowed and tight in the roller while underway.

I do like your idea of pulling the chain tight from inside the rope locker, but as you can see below, it will enter the hause pipe from the side and could easily pop over the edge and come loose:



I am leaning towards a tensioner in front of the hause pipe. This will keep the chain tight and off the deck, and make for only a short run of loose chain to the locker.

That all being said, I do want it all to look good, of course!

 

[dpmulvey]

I understand now. Nice setup. If that is stock, it was well thought out. If not, congrats to you on a well thought out design.

 

[Greg]

Hey bajturner, Four Turtles is docked in my spot. :grin:

View attachment 23863

Nope, it's my spot

We stayed over in the castle one night, it was great.