What size Anchor Line?

[Motor Boater]

Last year at Powell we were towing my Sunsation with the house, Behind my sunsation was a 25 Malibu and a 19 Sea ray behind that. I had some cheap rope that snapped right away. Then my twiisted Nylon anchor line snapped as well. So this year its nothing but the good braided line. I want something for my anchor line that I can also use for towing behind the houseboat. If you go way overboard its too thick to tie off, create knots etc. So what size (thickness) of line does everyone like? 3/8, 1/2, 5/8

 

[Tom Brown]

The ballers recommend 2" metal rope braided from individually braided strands of machined billet aluminum. It's important not to go cheap here. Have them lathe 2" x 100' billet rods down to .005" prior to bundling and then braiding.



I prefer cotton rope in large diameters because it's easy on the hands and it coils nicely. Seriously... I like cotton 1/2" rope. It isn't necessary for strength but it coils like no other and it's soft and relaxed so it doesn't tangle easily.

 

[OCMerrill]

The ballers recommend 2" metal rope braided from individually braided strands of machined billet aluminum. It's important not to go cheap here. Have them lathe 2" x 100' billet rods down to .005" prior to bundling and then braiding.

LOL!


Don't worry I failed to read the second paragraph.

 

[Guest]

it's soft and relaxed

 

[LHC30]

Depends on what ya tow and how hard ya tow it. I have anchor lines that are just that - no dual purpose. I have a long (75') tow line that is 5/8" braided. Tying off is no problem as I usually use a half hitch on my end with the dead end fed back through so I could pull it free in an emergency (and a very sharp knife).

 

[SBjet]

Hmm. Seems to be a matter of length, strength, and stowability.
Look at the load rating on the rope.
If you're not offshore, how much anchor line do you need, 50-100'? That shouldn't take up too much space.

I would buy cheap 3/8. Then if you're really going to load it, by towing 3 boats, then maybe double it up.

 

[Waterjunky]

If you are going to do it, do it right. Go for the 1/2" spectra line. You know the stuff that the hard core 4X4 guys are replacing their cables with. I would bet on the bow ring would come out of the glass long, long before the line breaking.





On the other hand due to just such a possibility (and cost of line) a good high quality 1/2" braided line would be a better bet. Just not as cool to look at and bragg about.

 

[Racey]

There is no fockin way i'd be towing two boats off my ski tow (especially a wake board boat drag master). I'd be more worried about it ripping the tow cleat out of the transom than the line busting, and if you are breaking decent size line you are putting an unnecessary amount of stress on that cleat.

But that's just me.

 

[DeltaSigBoater]

I know it's desirable to have 1 line for multiple uses, but in the end you'll step over dollars to save pennies.

I like between 150'-200' of anchor in addition to 10'-20' of chain. Its better to have to much than not enough. Size of chain and line will be determined by size of boat. Personally I wouldn't go with anything less than 1/2"-9/16", and unless you really feel the urge to spend the extra $$$ on braided, 3-strand is fine for anchoring.

For towing utilize a bridle (15'-20' HD auto/truck tow straps w/ loops work great), it distributes the weight and keeps the towee centered. Again longer towing lines are better, if you have to come to a complete stop in a hurry it gives you more time, to deal with the boat(s) in tow, preventing them from crashing into the stern of the tow boat, and each other. The towing line should be braided 5/8" - 3/4", how long is up to you. If you're going to be towing multiple boats, bigger diameter tow line from the tow boat to the 1st boat in tow, as that is the boat with the most stress, as you add more boats you could gradually decrease the diameter.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

There is no fockin way i'd be towing two boats off my ski tow (especially a wake board boat drag master). I'd be more worried about it ripping the tow cleat out of the transom than the line busting, and if you are breaking decent size line you are putting an unnecessary amount of stress on that cleat.

But that's just me.

I agree with Racey here. I wouldnt want to tow 2 boats off of mine. The few houseboat trips weve been on we used the standard 3/8" black and orange rope that you can find anywhere. All we used it for was towing the boats and we only had 2 boats per side. No 3 in a row. And that rope is really cheap.

 

[steamin rice]

Home Depot actually carries fairly nice braided line that can be used as anchor/tow line - I believe they have 5/8" diameter, and they sell it by the foot at a decent price.

If you want a particular color and have the time to order it, www.mooringlines.com has a very nice product.

For my boat, I have 100' of 1/2" line that I use for my box anchor and it has worked well for me so far.

 

[paradise]

For towing the boats, if your houseboat is wide enough, I would tow two on each side of the boat. Two from one corner cleat and two from the other. otherwise the strain on that rope will be tremendous!
________
Arizona Dispensary

 

[Sun burners]

I went from 1/2" down to 3/8" for my box anchor.
It worked fine and was alot easier to handle and store.
Only used it for about an hour!

 

[Motor Boater]

There is no fockin way i'd be towing two boats off my ski tow (especially a wake board boat drag master). I'd be more worried about it ripping the tow cleat out of the transom than the line busting, and if you are breaking decent size line you are putting an unnecessary amount of stress on that cleat.

But that's just me.

I agree and have thought about this several times. We have towed in several different configurations. One year we had a boat break loose and hit another boat.......$400 in damage. Thats why I like to tow all in a row...if they break free they slow down at the same rate and usually dont bump into each other. Maybe I should just stagger them on both sides and check everyones knots so I know they arent going to break free!!!

I think I'm going to go with 1/2 braided if I need stronger for some reason I can double it up

 

[djhartley2003]

.5" double braided line from West Marine and don't worry about tying it buy a fid kit and put your own loops in the line and then go to slide anchor and buy an anchor hook. I have 2 anchor hooks. One for my spike and one for my anchor. it makes life easy. I tie an eye in one end with a clip for the bow ring and then put my line threw the anchor hook and just have to sinch it up. They also work great for the see wall in the channel. Just my .02.

 

[Rexone]

We just sold a bunch of 5/8 tow lines to the military. They are rated at 6500#. They are using them to tow confiscated drug runner boats etc. That is what I'd recommend for towing multiple boats. Just give a call or PM if you'd like a quote on one. These are very soft Solid Braid 100% Polypropylene lines. Lots of colors to choose from.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

.5" double braided line from West Marine and don't worry about tying it buy a fid kit and put your own loops in the line and then go to slide anchor and buy an anchor hook. I have 2 anchor hooks. One for my spike and one for my anchor. it makes life easy. I tie an eye in one end with a clip for the bow ring and then put my line threw the anchor hook and just have to sinch it up. They also work great for the see wall in the channel. Just my .02.
View attachment 27471

Was there rope in that pic?

 

[BajaMike]

I've towed a lot of boats and PWC at Lake Powell behind houseboats.

Don't be cheap and mix your tow lines with your anchor lines.

I recommend you go to West Marine, get 200 feet of good floating 1/2" or 5/8" line.

I would cut one line at about 40' and put a carabiner at one end using a bowline knot. The carabiner makes it easy to connect to the bow hook on the boat and also gives some weight so you can throw the line out to someone in the water. Tie this line off on one side of the houseboat.

(The carabiners save a lot frustration and time when your swimmers can't tie a good knot).


Make a couple 30' lines for your 2 PWC......on one, put a carabiner at one end (for the first PWC) and on the other put a carabiner on both ends (hook one to the back of the first PWC and to the front of the second PWC). Tie these off on the opposite side of the houseboat that the boat is tied to.

It's a bit of a procedure when you un-beach the houseboat.....back out the houseboat, point it where you want to go, then hook up the boat and the PWCs.....have your drivers get back on the houseboat...and you are on your way.....the reverse when you beach the boat again.

Don't go into Dangling Rope or any marina with boats in tow....disconnect them before you get there and have them reconnect when you leave.

Towing a bunch of boats around Lake Powell is like coordinating a Carrier Battle Group....It takes some good boat drivers and a lot of coordination.....but it so much fun when you get beached and have all your water toys to buzz around the lake!






Have fun!!:beer

 

[paradise]

Great advice Baja! We do something real similar. We have two 5/8ths x 40' ropes with caribeners on both ends to hook the boats to the houseboat. Then we have 4 3/8ths x 20' ropes to connect the jetskis to each other an the boats.

On the beach we hook two jetskis together and hook them behind the runabout (we do this for each set of two jetskis and one boat). We then take the houseboat out to the middle of the cove, get it pointed in the right direction and drop to idle (about 1 knot).

We then take the first boat, come up to the back of the houseboat, and the man on the houseboat tosses the line to the man on the boat. He then clips the rope to the bow eye and pulls himself and the boat to the back of the houseboat where he can easily step onto the swimstep of the houseboat.

Let the first runabout drop back into position behind the houseboat and repeat for the second runabout! The works really good, and avoids having to have someone tie knots in the water, be in the water at all. Also avoids getting any knots or tangles in the lines since they always have a small amount of tension on them...

The key is big ropes and prior planning. We have all of our ropes in one bag that comes with us. Before we leave for the lake we lay out the ropes and make sure none of them needs to be replaced or have the knot changed. If this is your first or second year, it will not go very smoothly, but that is half the fun. WE have been going out for 15 years and still learn something new every time!!!

Later

Zack
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Honda Rc114