Dyneema for lunch anchor rhode
 

I am not really to try it on the big anchor yet, but on the fishing boat we often anchor 5-10 times a day while working a hole. Since my dad is starting to have problems picking up the 1/2" nylon, and chain leader we use I have been thinking of switching over to a full dyneema line, and getting rid of the nylon, and the chain. I appreciate I will kill the cantinary, but for this application it seems like lighter weight would win out.

Does anyone have thoughts on dyneema (probably amsteel blue) as an anchor line?

I've no thoughts on the alternate lines which I've never used for anchoring but my deep prejudice is that you should not use the lightest anchor gear you can get away with but rather the heaviest you can lift.

If you're in an area where the ultra lights like the Fortress won't do, consider some sort of roller and electric or manual windlass. The units designed for the charter fishing industry spool the line and have a good haul rate. Check the ads in the National Fisherman for examples.

G'luck

I'm assuming that anchoring while fishing means the you will have lookout all the time and that you will be able to act immediately if you start dragging.

I would think that going smaller than 1/2" rope would be harder on the hands?

There are two reasons to use chain at the anchor end

• Chain is more resilient against chafe than rope
• Chain give better catenary

It's not uncommon around here to have all rope rode, the life length of the rope depends on the ground where you anchor.
Some boats use braided anchor rope with lead core.

One option:
Replace the chain with dyneema - less expensive than replacing all. The Dyneema part should withstand chafe better than nylon.

The loss of weight can be compensated (partly) using more scope.

At least for this anchor we are talking about a 26' power cat, that may be on the hook for an hour or so at a time. Not just a lookout, but a couple.

Just do it :)
You have plenty of occasions to inspect the rode if you hoist anchor 5-10 times a day;)

There is a gap between HMPE & nylon : why not try polypropylene
or some CoEx PP/PE, in a moderate to hard lay (for elasticity)?
This would give you floating line, so little weight submerged, for hauling out;
and you would keep the thickness, for more comfortable handling.

--dl*
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