I need to cho change the achor line on my boat....?

Question

i have a 19 foot centern console and need a new line for the stern anchor, what thickness should it be, right now it has a 3/8" but i think that it isn't thick enough, but if i buy it to thick it wont fit on my boats cleat, do you think, 7/16" will do the trick???

Answer 1

I have a 22' boat and I always use 3/8" line for docking.  I use 3 lines, one at the bow, one off the middle cleat, and one off the stern cleat.

Now you said a "stern anchor", but I'm not sure why you would anchor from the stern, unless you are doing a double (bow & stern) anchor to stay in place.  If so, I would say 1/2" or 7/16" would both be fine.

Answer 2

Well, there's a bunch of different answers going on... some better than others.

Firstly, your anchor line can't possibly be made from polypropylene.  It floats and is the lowest strength line you can buy. It also breaks down in the sun within about a year.  Nylon is the only way to go here.  It's very strong, resists abrasions and stretches.  Do not use Dacron or ant other low stretch line.  There is no shock absorption in lumpy seas

Secondly,  you won't need 100' of chain.  By the time you get about 30' of 3/8 BBB (standard anchor chain) you almost can't lift it straight up if your in 25' or more of water; especially if your anchor is full of muck.

Right hand laid (three strand) is preferred over braided due to it's better stretching capability although either will do the trick.

In short you would do well to go to a 1/2 right hand laid line at least 100' long (if it will fit on the boat/cleats). Attach about 25-30' of good solid anchor chain in front of that.  Sometimes ground tackle is your last line of defence.  It never hurts to have more in the arsenal that you "think" you need.

Answer 3

The type of line has just as much to do with the strength as the size. The difference between 3/8 and 7/16 is only 1/16.  Go to at least a half-inch line, and go with a braid, as opposed to a three-stranded line.

Answer 4

I think 7/16 would be fine, the difference is nominal.You could ask the rope dealer (west marine,boat u.s.,etc.)for a sample piece to test with.I would try 1/2  and 7/16 if  you can.God Bless.

Answer 5

3/8" is more then enough for the stern anchor on your boat. If it was your main anchor I would go with 1/2" and a length (about 10 ft) of chain.

Answer 6

Well, theres a few things to consider here- first, is the current line nylon or polypropoline?  Poly has a tendency to fall apart when exposed to sunlight for very long.  Is the boat anchored all the time in a lake or is it anchored in salt water?

If you're using it on a lake, and just for fishing?  7/16th's should be more than adequite for this size of boat- after all, you're going to be anchored for only a few hours, days at the most right?

But if its in salt water, in a cove,,,,,I'd be thinking 1/2" nylon, until I could get a trailer for it.  19' is just long enough to get into deep trouble in a sheltered saltwater cove.