Webbing as anchor rhode?

[SVPrairieRose]

So I am off to Alaska in a few weeks and I know I will be facing some very deep anchorages. I have 275 feet of chain on my primary which is a 60 pound Bruce. I want a bag with another 250-300 feet of line to add to that foe the deep ones and I am thinking of tubular webbing. It's super light and certainly strong enough. It has no streatch but since there would be 275 feet of chain out I assume that would make a great kellett. Any advice or warnings. Anyone else heading north this summer?

[Architeuthis]

Webbing can be very strong, I think 1" stuff is rated more than my shackles but webbing does not like abrasion. That is the only down side I know of.

You may still want to use a snubber line with webbing if it really doesnt stretch, as the forces get nasty when a chain is shock loaded. Of course with 275 feet of chain you might not have to use the webbing much.

We will be headed north some time next month, Alaska only if the weather gods make it easy otherwise just up the coast, maybe desolation sound, maybe not but since we haven't been can't really say how much rode you will really need.

Edit: I'm not sure I like the idea of webbing for this use. On my boat I would expect some chafing, which I could protect it from but have you ever seen webbing under load? It is really fragile stuff, if it was to rub up against anything sharp unprotected it would part in an instant. Which would be at the height of the storm I'm sure.

Also a 60 lb bruce is a pretty serious anchor much bigger than my system. What size webbing? One inch webbing with a WLL of 3,000lbs or so might not be enough, what is your shackles rated for? (they are my weak point so I try to have everything better than them). I would think you want webbing larger than that.

[SVPrairieRose]

I was just in Desolation a few weeks ago, sailed up the same day as the souther straits race. Needless to say there was plenty of wind. It absolutely fantastic. As to the question, I am sure that there will be several 80 foot plus anchorages and at 7 to 1 for a good blow that is 560 feet. Three hundred feet of extra rope is a lot to deal with. But if I must then I must.

[mitiempo]

I agree webbing is too prone to chafe. UV as well but that is not a likely problem where you're going at least in the short term. I'd go with 3 strand or braided nylon with chain on the end, maybe 30 or 40 feet.

That must have been one great sail to Desolation! Pics?

[sailjunkie]

What is the breaking strength of webbing versus comparable anchor rode?

I admire your courage, but am not that brave myself.

[CLucas]

Not an endorsement, but perhaps worth a look: QuicklineUSA - Quickline Flat Rope & Reel. Quickline is available in Dynemma and Nylon/Polyester (7,000 and 8,000 lbs breaking strength). Manufacturer states the nylon/polyester is suitable as an anchor rode - don't know about that, but you may want to take look.

[svHyLyte]

As an alternative, you might want to consider Yale Brait or one of the other multibraid (Brait is 8 strand I believe) lines. See the following: conveniently stowed nylon plait anchor rode - Cruisers & Sailing Forums . Defender offers pretty good prices and I suspect some of the vendors in the Seattle area may as well.

FWIW...

[Stillraining]

Thanks for posting that CLucas...I spent 40 min last night looking for that.


sv HL...FWIW...There are quite a few posters like GMac who I greatly miss around here...thanks for posting that link as well.

[CLucas]

Originally Posted by Stillraining

Thanks for posting that CLucas...I spent 40 min last night looking for that.

I've seen photos of people using it as a shoreline (i.e. tying to trees, etc), but not certain about it's use as a anchor rode. A video on the site shows a pretty poor 'technique' of unwinding a pile of webbing onto the deck and heaving the anchoring out over the stern (YouTube - Quickline, la cime multiuso).

[jrd22]

CLucas- thanks for the link, I was getting pretty excited about that stuff (thinking about stern tie line) while watching the video and looking at the website until I got to the prices
$1250 for 400' of line and a reel? Yikes. Looks like great stuff though.

To the OP, I would have serious concerns about using webbing to extend the anchor rode, the weak spot would be the knot used to attach to the chain, and the chafe where the webbing went through the link. For peace of mind I carry 300' of 3/4" three strand nylon in addition to the 300' of chain. Haven't had to use it but like you I'm heading to Alaska (prob. 2011) and want to be ready. Have a great trip, (where in AK are you heading, Glacier?) we're heading out in July for Desolation, Broughton's etc.