Fastening Rode to
the Anchor or Chain
The recommended method of connecting
rope rode to an anchor or chain is to splice
an eye around a thimble in the end of the
rode.
An eye is a fixed loop in the end of a
line.
A thimble is a grooved metal loop
around which a rope eye may be spliced,
thus making it more resistant to chafing.
Nonmetal thimbles are not as reliable as
metal; they are unlikely to hold up under
the rigors of anchoring.
A shackle is used to fasten the thimble
to the chain or anchor.
• A shackle is a U-shaped metal piece of
hardware with a removable pin, used to
connect a line, sail, or fitting.
• We recommend that you wire the shackle
pin to the shackle so that it will not vibrate
loose (plastic cable ties are often used).
Word of caution: Cable ties come in two
colors: the most common, white, which is
Non-UV (non-Ultraviolet sunlight) protected.
Once exposed to direct sunlight
for a period of time, the cable tie becomes
quite brittle and easily breaks just like dry
spaghetti. The other type of cable tie color
is black which is UV protected against
sunlight degradation. Also, the metal
tongue in cable ties must be stainless steel
to protect it from rusting causing a cable
tie failure. Some cable ties come with a
stainless steel tongue and others come
with a plastic tongue so either would be
acceptable. Use stainless steel wire when
securing the shackle pin to the shackle.
• It is also a good idea to secure the rode to
the legs of the thimble with small twine or
wire.
ANCHORING TECHNIQUES
This section describes the steps you should
follow when anchoring. The steps are
shown in Figures 10-8, 10-9, and 10-10.
1. Survey the Anchorage
Determine the depth and type of bottom.
Check the prevailing wind and/or
current.
Ensure there is room for the boat to
swing with shifts in current, tide, or winds.
Be sure you will clear other boats and
obstacles if your boat swings on its anchor.
2. Set the Anchor
Approach your intended anchorage against
the wind or current, whichever is stronger.
When you reach the desired position,
bring the boat to a standstill.
Lower (never throw) the anchor over
the bow.
Allow the boat to drift with the wind or
current. If necessary, apply a small amount
of power in reverse. Let the rode out slowly
to keep it from fouling the anchor. Be sure
the line does not wrap around your legs as
you pay it out.
Use more rode than you need for your
planned scope. This will increase the horizontal
pull necessary to dig in the anchor.
When sufficient line is out, snub it by
taking a turn around your bow cleat.
Then place an easy strain on the line
with the engine to set (dig in) the anchor.
Check that the anchor is set by putting
the boat in full reverse and powering back
against the anchor for more than a minute
after it appears to be set would ensure that
the anchor had really found the bottom.
When satisfied that the anchor is
set, take in any extra rode, run it through
a chock, and tie it to the bow cleat with a
cleat hitch. (The cleat hitch is described in
Chapter 4, Knots and Lines, of this manual.)
Section 10: Anchoring 111
Figure 10-8. Selecting an
anchorage.
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