The Knotty Professor: 3-Strand or 8-Plait Rope? Which is best for your anchor line?

[@r8drvr819]

Good information! Thanks for addressing the boating anchor systems and components; the information you are providing is LONG OVERDUE! Thanks!!!!!!

[@Batuhankaygan976]

Very good explanation. Congratulations

[@jerryholder1350]

Probably a dumb request, but I’m new to having a windlass. Just lost my anchor wrapped around a tree. Had to cut rope. Diver retrieved by anchor. I have to attach new rope and respool the chain through the gypsy. Can you show us how to do that?

[@SocalMarineUSA]

good info - I have a lewmar 1000 for a 23ft searay - i do not want to deal with jams etc, i guess the 8 plait is the ticket? Not anchoring in crazy places.. just some offshore fishing in Socal-

[@shawnmoore9714]

Which of the 2 would take up less space on my anchor winch if I choose not to use spectra ?

[@Darkhorsemarine]

Hi Shawn! If you decide to not go with spectra on your drum winch, you'll fit more 8-plait on there and it will be more pliable than the 3-strand.

[@au1639]

I have a question. For a 45 footer, what are the pros and cons of using the 5/8" polyester double braids. Can it be used instead of the 8 strands or 3 strands? This is for the installation of permanent anchor line used on the dock. Considering to use 20kg danforth anchor with 3 to 5 meters of chain, and then 5/8" double braid polyester rope tail. Depth is about 5 to 7 meters deep. Do you think the 3m of chains would suffice? or 5m or more required for this.The bottom is mostly few inches of mud sediments on top and sand gravels down underneath.

[@Darkhorsemarine]

Hi! Double braid is very strong and typically used in dock lines. If you're using it with any type of windlass or winch, I would check for compatibility. I know that AnchorLift uses double braid but it's not recommended for any other windlass. I have had customers use it with no problems but the outer cover can get really picked apart and it does not have much stretch to it to absorb shock. If you're considering using it with a windlass other than AnchorLift, get a dockline in 5/8" and attach it to an anchor and make sure that your windlass can grab it without slipping when under tension before you invest in a long length of rope. I can't speak much about pros and cons since we don't work with double braid so I am not a great source of info there. You have a nice sized anchor but I would still lean more towards the 5 meters of chain, given the size of your boat. I don't think you'll regret having more chain but if you go with less, it's hard to add on more (we're not a fan of connector links). Hope this helps and thanks for the question!

[@au1639]

@@Darkhorsemarine Thank you so much for your advice. I will look into the issues with the windlass compatibility.

[@teachingrounds]

What windlas should I buy for a 23 foot, 3500 lb Grady white. I’ll be using the boat mostly to anchor in 25-100 feet of water over patch reefs

[@Darkhorsemarine]

Great question. How much space do you have in your anchor locker? Measure from the deck to where the rope will rest in the anchor locker. This will help me guide you to the best option.

[@teachingrounds]

@@Darkhorsemarine it looks like it’s between 8-10 inches - not a ton is space

[@Darkhorsemarine]

Sorry for the late reply. It’s going to be tough trying to shove 300’ of rope in that small anchor locker, even if you went with a Pro Sport or Pro Fish model from Lewmar. Have you considered a drum winch?

[@teachingrounds]

@@Darkhorsemarine thanks I was concerned about that too … some of these smaller boats built 22 years weren’t set up ideally for a windlass. I have a factory bow pulpit does that change anything? Between the prosport and the profish which do you like better? If cost isn’t a consideration is there a different brand even better? I plan on using a 26 lb ultra anchor and 1/4 inch stainless chain

[@Darkhorsemarine]

If cost was not an issue, I would recommend the Maxwell hrc6 darkhorsemarine.com/maxwell-hrc6-12v-horizontal-freefall-rope-chain-series-1-4-chain-1-2-rope/ but I think you’ll still have space issues.

[@dannysaathoff7827]

I'm curious about an 8 plait to chain splice. I have yet to find a good tutorial on how to create one. Tips?

[@bobbymatos3951]

Hi Danny! I did splice an 8-plait rope live on our FB page. Check it out and see if it works for you! facebook.com/darkhorsemarine/videos/559918658101508/

[@wallacegrommet9343]

My Lewmar windlass is not compatible with three strand

[@Darkhorsemarine]

What Lewmar model do you have?

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Lewmar HX1. I went with 9/16 inch Megaplait but the gypsy doesn’t grab it well. The bow roller is too high currently to properly lead the rode into the windlass

[@Darkhorsemarine]

Sorry, forgot to ask, what chainwheel do you have?

[@Darkhorsemarine]

Do you have an hx1 500 or hx1 800?

[@Darkhorsemarine]

The 500 comes with a 1/4” chain to 1/2” rope chainwheel and the 800 comes with a 5/16” chain to 5/8” rope chainwheel

[@youtubeleavemealone]

Anchor Rope??? Do you mean anchor line? Chain Wheel??? Do you mean gypsy? Do you mean wildcat? No comment about the line to chain splice? Do you have credentials to justify that uniform? Or are you just a spokes-model?

[@larryflorida5695]

Anna is the real thing, and so is Monica. I've bought rope from them and it's top drawer is is their advice? And yes, it's rope off the spool. it becomes line or rode depending on what you do with it. but sometimes it's just nice to use layman's terms to understand things. Same with the gypsy, it's still a wheel. The chain to rope splice is a different video. Look it up.