Floating anchor line?

[Boatguy1972]

Do any of you have any thoughts on using floating line on an anchor?

I have a rather large boat in the harbor that is using it..

[wizbang 13]

Good bait for outboards.

[AstoriaDave]

What a bad idea.

[S/V Laura Ellen]

Seems kind of counterproductive!

[Rapelapente]

What a bad idea.

+ 1 !

only chain !

[Peerie Maa]

You need enough chain to keep the pull on the anchor horizontal or any tension will pull the anchor up out of the mud. You could possibly use half nylon rope (it sinks and is the most elastic) and half chain.

[Roger Long]

Do any of you have any thoughts on using floating line on an anchor?

Sounds nearly as dumb as anchoring a large vessel with no auxiliary power on homemade anchors constructed with rectangular steel tubing.

Some idiot with more power than brains is going to be calling SeaTow to get that anchor line unwrapped from his prop shaft. I just hope he doesn't cut it.

One advantage though, when winds are light and the tide change carries the couple football fields of rode I saw her on over the anchor, it's less likely to wrap around the lazy fluke and pull the anchor out.

[Hal Forsen]

using floating line on an anchor
:eek:

[Boatguy1972]

One advantage though, when winds are light and the tide change carries the couple football fields of rode I saw her on over the anchor, it's less likely to wrap around the lazy fluke and pull the anchor out.

Funny you should mention that. That is the reason he gave for using floating line, so when the boat swings it doesn't get wrapped around the anchor itself.

question.. is that a product of the anchor type or is it product of boat design?

[Breakaway]

"Reverse Catenary." What a concept!

[Woxbox]

The floaty line I've dealt with falls apart in sunlight.

[Garret]

It's great for towing the dinghy. Anchoring?????? Methinks not.

[John B]

As Wox says, polypropylene breaks down under UV.
Bad choice in so many ways.

[Roger Long]

question.. is that a product of the anchor type or is it product of boat design?

It's a product of the same design process that resulted in rope being used for standing rigging instead of wire, the hull construction, the original steering system, etc.

Modern anchors are largely the result of the fluke fouling problem but floating lines have never been used historically to avoid fouling. Good seamanship, multiple anchors, and tending of the anchor rode during tide swings were the methods employed.

[Sailor]

So let me get this straight...... He has a line that floats attached to something designed to stay burried in the bottom? Reminds me of LFH's comment about a plow anchor. Something along the lines of "Who was the brilliant mind that came up with a design for something that is intended to remain firmly planted in the ground based on something that is designed to pull smoothly through the earth?"

[SBrookman]

It's great for towing the dinghy.

Not even for that! As I learned the hard way when backing down setting an anchor off Matinicus after a long night's crossing on my first boat many years ago. Knowing that the poly line floats I didn't short it and it got sucked in and even fused itself around the shaft. That water was cold up there and I was unable to hold my breath long enough to cut it off.

As luck would have it the next morning a local lobsterman came by and asked why we were anchored there instead of in the snug harbor. I then told him our predicament, being sans engine. About an hour later he returned in full scuba gear and we were on our way. He would take nothing in return but asked that we visit his island.

Now where do all those tales of unfriendly islanders come from? Matinicus will always be a special place to me...and poly line will never be on any boat of mine.

[Garret]

Not even for that! As I learned the hard way when backing down setting an anchor off Matinicus after a long night's crossing on my first boat many years ago. Knowing that the poly line floats I didn't short it and it got sucked in and even fused itself around the shaft. That water was cold up there and I was unable to hold my breath long enough to cut it off.

As luck would have it the next morning a local lobsterman came by and asked why we were anchored there instead of in the snug harbor. I then told him our predicament, being sans engine. About an hour later he returned in full scuba gear and we were on our way. He would take nothing in return but asked that we visit his island.

Now where do all those tales of unfriendly islanders come from? Matinicus will always be a special place to me...and poly line will never be on any boat of mine.

Well, I must admit I always shorten up - being a belt & suspenders kinda guy...

I lived on Matinicus for a while. Some great folks there. Glad you had such a positive experience!

[Roger Long]

He has a line that floats attached to something designed to stay burried in the bottom?

No floats. It's just a line of poly or other material that is low density enough to float. No problem when the wind is blowing but he rides with an amazing scope so, when the tide changes in a light wind and he's drifting around, there must be a couple football field lengths of the stuff around him.

There is a reason why chain has been universal for vessels of this size since the industrial revolution made it practical to purchase and handle.

[Stu Fyfe]

I used poly for a painter on my dingy for a few years. My thinking was to avoid the prop and shaft. I guess it served that purpose, but not without a serious drawback. When trailing the dingy in a following sea, the dingy would surf down the waves towards the boat and then ease off. When the slack painter caught up with the boat, a serious jolt would take place. No stretch in the poly. It eventually pulled the bow eye out of the dingy. Now I use nylon.

[Hwyl]

It's got to frustrate the lobstermen, for whom it's illegal.

[Canoeyawl]

Reminds me of LFH's comment about a plow anchor. Something along the lines of "Who was the brilliant mind that came up with a design for something that is intended to remain firmly planted in the ground based on something that is designed to pull smoothly through the earth?"
Have you ever pulled a plow smoothly through the earth?
It's damned hard work. ;)
Plough anchors have one distinct advantage over a farm plough, they keep going deeper!
Your tractor would be stopped in it's tracks in short order if this were the case on land.

edit to add; I completly agree that a floating rode is foolish, the first boat going by will snag it and set you adrift.

[Chris Coose]

I found some 1/2" poly on the shore. I threw it in the pier shed. Last week I needed a bit of line to pull through a bouy that'll help float the mooring chain....
about 2 ' all together. Tied a bowline right through the top of a swivel. Can't see how it will foul and avoided working in a thimble and I'll be able to see it for wear.
First time in my mariner life I've found any use for poly.
That stuff gets old and sunbaked, it'll give you splinters as it runs through the hands.

Like McKay's entire approach to the sea, this is a micro example of his foolishness.

When I was "learning the ropes" some old timer might come up to me and say. "You can't use that **** for a mooring line kid." And I might not say much but at least I'd find out how it was best done, usually by consulting Chapmans then change it, or I just might ask the old bastard what might be the best application.

[Bill Griffin]

I have to wonder if all the posts regarding this particular vessel were gathered on a single thread, how it would compare to the views and post count of Mr. Tenthumbs thread about our northern neighbors boatbuilding?