Go Back   Cruiser Log World Cruising & Sailing Forums > Cruising Forums > General Cruising Forum
Cruiser Wiki Click Here to Login

Join Cruiser Log Today

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-17-2010, 02:09 PM   #1
Commander
 
Seafarer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 144
Default

In the book I bought about anchors and line handling it mentioned an "up to 33% improvement" of holding power in soft bottoms by using a wire rope between the anchor and the chain. Apparently the wire rope doesn't create as much resistance and the anchor buries itself deeper into a soft bottom.

The question I have is, how do I put a wire rope on the anchor? I've heard of wire splicing, but am unsure if this is safe in this application. It would need to have a WLL of better than 5,000lbs to match the rest of my ground tackle. Using this webpage ( Wire Rope ) I have surmised that 5/8" 7x19 with Flemish splices should be more than strong enough.




The length of the rope would be determined by the distance between the end of the anchor and my windlass when the anchor is raised. I would splice around a thimble for added abrasion resistance. There would be an anchor swivel between the wire rope and the chain.
__________________

__________________
Seafarer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2010, 03:03 PM   #2
Ensign
 
SteveW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 27
Default

I can see the advantage to the setting of the anchor in soft bottom material. However, I would have some concern about routine handling of the rode since the 5/8" dia. wire, with the related swivel and shack;les would seriously complicate the deploying and recovery of the anchor. Most bow rollers won't pass a large shackle or a 5/8" wire rope thimble. In my all chain rode, I use a bullet shaped double/flex swivel to get the anchor stock over the roller. And if your cable is of a length close to your water depth, that it the worst time to be dealing with a problem of handling this wire rope/cable.

Another problem that I see, might be, the handling and storage of a coil of 5/8" wire rope. I'm not sure what the minimum bend radius or coil diameter is for 7 x19 wire is, but I would research that and take it into consideration. Also chain is forgiving when it gets tangled or kinked in bottom or deck handling, wire would be destroyed if it was kinked when you take a strain on it to set the anchor or pull it out against a kink.

If I were going to leave my boat on an anchor in sand or mud for a long period of time, I think I would consider this method since I would only be dealing with the above mentioned problems occasionally. And I might get more than one nights sound sleep.

KISS (with all due respect)

Steve
__________________

__________________
Ingrid 38 (buider/owner), Huckins 53 ('61)
SteveW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2010, 03:39 PM   #3
Moderator
 
redbopeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Home Port: Washington DC
Vessel Name: SV Mahdee
Posts: 3,236
Default

The US Navy did surprising studies showing cable to be better than chain specifically in mud/sand for anchoring/holding big ships. However, for a yacht, I agree with keep it simple. We have an all chain rode, the weight of it is warm reassurance that we'll have adequate holding. The issues of termination of wire rope, minimum bend diameter, and all--make me think "forget it" stick with chain as well.
__________________
"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

What we're doing - The sailing life aboard and the Schooner Chandlery.

redbopeep is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
anchor


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Anchor Chain Stowage Problems bernard Other Equipment 5 09-17-2013 08:57 PM
Anchor Chain Galvanizing redbopeep Repairs & Maintenance 5 11-06-2010 01:35 PM
Anchor Chain Cleaning Device Aka "gunk Buster" redbopeep Other Equipment 6 02-17-2010 05:05 PM
Rope To Use When Replacing Wire-rope Halyards chopwood Rigging & Sails 5 11-13-2008 11:21 PM
How Do You Mark Your Anchor Chain? manor Other Equipment 14 09-25-2007 02:27 PM

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership.

» More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons.

» More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities.

» More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today.

» More about our Marine Communities


All times are GMT. The time now is 04:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
×