Anchor rode

[Dick Turner]

Any experience using cable vs. chain when anchoring in deep mud? Our hurrican hole has several feet of mud before one hooks into solid bottom. Our dock master recommends a Fortress X37 anchor with 15 ft of 3/8" cable and 1" 3 strand nylon. Based on local studies, by an experienced marine engineer, chain collects the mud and tends to ride on the surface vs. cable. Experiments proved cable to be much more efficient when dealing with mud bottoms. Comments appreciated.

Dick
Mystical 31 #32



tbrhin1@gibralter.net

[John R.]

Any experience using cable vs. chain when anchoring in deep mud? Our hurrican hole has several feet of mud before one hooks into solid bottom. Our dock master recommends a Fortress X37 anchor with 15 ft of 3/8" cable and 1" 3 strand nylon. Based on local studies, by an experienced marine engineer, chain collects the mud and tends to ride on the surface vs. cable. Experiments proved cable to be much more efficient when dealing with mud bottoms. Comments appreciated.

Dick
Mystical 31 #32

I've seen people with rodes set up that way down here in Florida. I don't know whether or not it was because of mud bottoms in some locations here or not. I've also seen some commercial vessels here with a lot of cable rode. If my memory serves correctly I think I recall reading somewhere that it is seen a lot in the northwest. Maybe someone that lives out that way can add some insight.

Seems to me you would be sacrificing about 50% of the weight of the chain and I don't think that is good. It's a good topic to look further into, especially for those of us in hurricane alley who need all the set/holding we can get.