Re: TWL: Re: Anchor Rode
Subject: Re: TWL: Re: Anchor Rode
From: jean somerhausen (diplodocus1@XXX.XXX)
Date: Sat Apr 28 2001 - 13:59:00 EDT
The weak point in an anchor rode is the splice, 1/2" nylon may be
stronger than 3/8" chain, but if you do a "chain splice", you lose 1/3
of the strength since you only splice two of the three strands... If you
manage to pass the whole rode into the chain link and make a normal eye
splice, the inner strand that bears on the chain link will have a very
sharp "nick" into it and will be be more stressed (confirmed to me by a
techie at Sampson rope). In addition, nylon loses quite a bit of its
strength when wet and salt crystals abrade it inside. The problem is
compounded by the fact that you've got to unlay the splice to check the
rode for wear and resplicing it afterwards is no easy task (professional
riggers will not splice "old" rope) reason why I have resorted to the
"Maxi braid" or "shovel" splice for my rodes.
john
