Securing Anchor Chain's Bitter End

[coolboat30]

I am switching from rode/chain to all chain. I always kept a knife nearby to cut the rode in case it were necessary to cut the rode and slip anchor. Should I put three feet or so of rode on the chain for the same purpose? Is being able to slip anchor really necessary? Is there a better way to do it? To what do you connect the bitter end?

[UNCIVILIZED]

Most folks put a bit longer rope "tail" onto their chain rodes. A good bit of the reasoning behind same, is so that if you have to let your chain run, then there's some elasticity in the system at it's end. Otherwise, the shockload on whatever it's tied off to can be pretty harsh.

Also, some folks will use a polypro' tail. So that if they do have to dump their rode, that there's something which floats up off of the bottom for X number of feet. Thus aiding in spotting their ground tackle for retrieval, later on.

Just don't make the floating part long enough so that it might be within reach of your prop, if you have to dump your gear in shallower waters.


PS: Keep a pair of bolt cutters (with lanyards on'em) onboard too, in case you need to ditch things under circumstances which would preclude you from letting out more chain, prior to cutting it loose.
Hacksaws don't work on wildly pitching, & submerging, bows, @ zero dark whatever.