[Rhodes22-list] Anchoring -- Phuzzy Physics shaved

[Robert Skinner]

The chain, believe it or not, serves somewhat 
like a shock absorber.  

Under no strain, a chain rode lies on the bottom.  
Under severe strain, it is pulled up, almost in 
a straight line between the anchor and the 
attachment point on the boat.

It is what happens between these two static 
positions that is most important.  The energy 
used to raise the chain and make it taught is 
subtracted from the shock that the boat will 
put on the anchor when it has straightened out 
and used up all the rode.

That helps the anchor stay where you put it.

Shock absorption is also helped by using 
twisted 3-strand nylon rode, as opposed to 
poly, as it stretches more than poly.

While long-term tension may ultimately cause an 
anchor to drag, large short term shock will have 
an even greater likelihood of breaking the anchor 
loose.

So when the stuff is in the fan, or if on the 
hook overnight, I opt to use some chain, nylon 
line, and a rubber shock absorber in the line 
-- in addition to as much scope as reasonable.

Of course, I still use a folding grapnel on a 
simple nylon rode as a lunch hook.  KISS.

And, yes, I do wear both belt and suspenders...

/Bob Skinner