ground tackle chafe protection

[RobertF]

To minimize chafe where the ground tackle comes aboard through the bow roller, I'm considering using some 1/2" high modulus, low stretch line that I have (parallel strand kevlar with braided cover) for the first 20' or so and then going to 1/2" three-strand nylon. The final set up would then be kevlar-nylon-chain-anchor. Is this a good idea, and if so, what would be the preferred way to connect the kevlar and nylon lines? Braided eye splice to eye splice? Thanks, Robert

[osteoderm]

This seems like an awful lot of complication for such an otherwise simply-solved issue. If i'm reading you right, it sounds like you'd only have this additional HM line at the etreme inboard end of the rode; dwouldn't that mean having to lay out the entire rode (sparing the last 20') to gain any advantage?
Generally, i'd find it preferable to slip a little chafe gear over the rode where it passes through the roller, same as with docklines, mooring lines, etc. Also, the wear really ought to be coming on the (shorter, cheaper, and more sacrificial) snubber, not the rode itself.
There is the arguement that having a 3-strand nylon/chain rode does away with the need for a snubber. Aside from the chafe issue, i've encountered at least one other situation where a snubber would have been handy with a nylon rode; with stem-mounted offset anchor roller and a bowsprit, where a bowsprit-end-led snubber would have made all the difference in the world.
The trouble fo me is getting the snubber to stick to the rope rode (no chain hooks/claws here!). i find that a well-formed rolling- or midshipman's hitch works pretty well on three-strand line. Another idea i've seen work incredibly well in dry applications (and would like to try here) is a prussik made up with a short selvagee. If someone has a better way (or two), i'd sure love to know.

[Renoir]

Never lay directly to your rode. Always us a snubber. Use double-braid polyester (Dacron) having an eye on the end of the snubber outboard of where it leaves the boat. Attach your nylon snubber using another eye to the polyester eye and the co-join will be near 100% either line strength. It is not necessary to go more "exotic" than polyester line in order to not have significant stretch so as to prevent chafe.

Attach the nylon part of the polyester/nylon snubber to the rode using a Prussic hitch. This hitch works well on chain as with the nylon. The snubber needs to have the same or smaller diameter than the nylon to which it attaches for the Prussic to work well.

If you choose to, then use gray leather stitched over the polyester where it contacts any part of a fairlead or roller you will not suffer a chafing problem. Forget the other stuff people use like hose.