Are you supposed to tie off the end of an anchor rode? If so, should it be a solid tie or something that can give way? or what's best? thanks in advance. dale
265 with a windlass
265 with a windlass
anchor rode tie off?
- Thread starter dale1
- Start date
Most anchor lockers (well designed ones, anyways) will have some way to tie off the rode end. Typically, in smaller boats like yours, it'll be something like a u-bolt bolted in place along the bow keel - usually on the opposite side of the bow eye. But, yes, definitely tie it off solid. It's not to be used for holding the boat at anchor. It's so you don't accidentally lose your anchor if you happen to let all the rode out without paying attention.
When I was about 7 years old, I was with my grandfather, father and uncle. We were in a little 18' boat and were setting the anchor to do some fishing. They tossed the anchor and were talking as the rode was paying out. They were in the bow and I was behind them (it was a cramped little bow). I looked up at my grandpa and started to "Grandpa, the..." and he interrupted me saying "Wait a minute, I'm talking to your uncle". I said "But, grandpa..." Again, I got the "Just hold on a minute" response. So I stood there, with no way to get to the bow, and watched as the end of the rode wriggled out, like a frightened gardener snake slithering away from you in the grass, and over the bow disappearing into the water. A few seconds later, after the rode had completely vanished into the abyss, my grandfather (who still did not know the rode was gone) turned back to me and asked "What did you want to ask me". I pointed and simply, quietly said "the rope". His response? "Why didn't you tell me!" So, yes, I always make sure to have the end of the rode tied off, now!
When I was about 7 years old, I was with my grandfather, father and uncle. We were in a little 18' boat and were setting the anchor to do some fishing. They tossed the anchor and were talking as the rode was paying out. They were in the bow and I was behind them (it was a cramped little bow). I looked up at my grandpa and started to "Grandpa, the..." and he interrupted me saying "Wait a minute, I'm talking to your uncle". I said "But, grandpa..." Again, I got the "Just hold on a minute" response. So I stood there, with no way to get to the bow, and watched as the end of the rode wriggled out, like a frightened gardener snake slithering away from you in the grass, and over the bow disappearing into the water. A few seconds later, after the rode had completely vanished into the abyss, my grandfather (who still did not know the rode was gone) turned back to me and asked "What did you want to ask me". I pointed and simply, quietly said "the rope". His response? "Why didn't you tell me!" So, yes, I always make sure to have the end of the rode tied off, now!
if you are talking about the bitter end, see above. if you mean while you are at anchor (i see that you note a windlass on your boat), then yes, the rode should be cleated off to remove the load from the windlass. you should tie off to one of your bow cleats in a normal fashion, possibly running through one of the anchor rode chocks (not exactly sure how you are configured, i run through a chock and then to a cleat.) good luck, ron
Fishtales
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If your boat has a windlass it is good to relieve the strain on the windlass when the anchor is up as well. Run a line through the anchor and tie it off on the two front cleats tight enough that is is holding the anchor taut and not the windlass