An all chain anchor rode is without doubt the very best solution in most cases.

Chain doesn’t suffer from chafe, is much stronger than any nylon anchor rode,  and the weight of the chain works as a shock absorber if there is any surge or other shock load on the anchor system.

But an all chain rode is very expensive, very heavy, hard to handle, and probably requires a chain windlass to retrieve it. It also needs a snubber so that any chain shock load is absorbed before it’s transmitted to the boat.

The best compromise for a sailboat is laid nylon line with 20-30 ft of chain before the anchor.

Nylon stretches by about 25% at 50% of its breaking strength and recovers from heavy loads better than braided line.

Read the full article, with recommendations at How to Select an Anchor

Filed under: Sailboat Maintenance, Sailboat Systems