There are 2 main ways to go with Anchor rode for Powerboats or Sailboats. You can use anchor line/rope or anchor chain. I was a fan for many years on the line/rope with a 20 foot length of chain from the anchor. I felt the length of chain from the anchor protected the line from getting chafed from dragging on the bottom as the boat would swing in the wind or change of tide. The chain would scrape along the bottom to a new position instead of your bare anchor line as it bumped or snagged shells, rocks, or debris on the bay or sea floor. By using the chain off the anchor, you've added weight which keeps the anchor line parallel along the bottom, making your boat anchor always bite deeper into the bottom.
As my cruising area grew larger, I would see other new or used boats and yachts anchoring with all chain. That tata-tat-tat of the chain going over the bow roller is very distinguishable, and as time went by, I heard this sound more often. Being able to let out less rode if you are equipped with all chain, is quite handy in tight areas. Another factor to mention in direct relationship between the two, is with anchor rode of line/rope, you swing around a lot more and also feel quite a bit more movement when the wind freshens. With all chain for your anchor rode, you seem to not swing as much and as the wind gets fresher, you also seem to not move back as much on the anchor. It's like slow motion.
When diving below the water, I have found a difference between the all chain anchor rode and the line/rope anchor rode. With the all chain anchor rode, you can see it go right for the bottom and then head in the direction of the boat anchor. As your boat eases back from a puff of wind, pull makes the chain lifts off the bottom. It is a lot of weight when the chain has to lift off the bottom, which in turn doesn't let you move back too much. With line/rope anchor rode, that same puff of wind pushes your boat or yacht back quickly becuase there is no weight to the line/rope. It then pulls the chain by the anchor and sometimes gives you a jerk as it tugs on the anchor. Also when anchored and swinging in the wind, the anchor rode with line/rope takes on a full swing of the line you have out. With the all chain rode, its weight alone keeps you in a tight swing so you don't feel the motion.
In windier Anchorages, it is good to use an all chain rode to keep that anchor biting the bottom, but wind this strong can put more strain on the chain links and the boat or yacht by pulling constantly and also jerking. At this time you should hook a line/rope right to the chain. Use about 20 feet and tie the line/rope from the chain to a cleat. This section will now let the stretching abilities of the line/rope to have less strain and stress to the boat and on the chain links.
You can get Anchor Chain in different tensile and numerous sizes to match your boat or yacht requirements. Take some considerations to the storage and weight of all chain rode, but most boats and yachts today have anchor windlass to give you the ease of letting out and/or bringing in the chain. Take a look around the harbor the next time you anchor...You will see the difference as the boats move in the wind, whether they have all chain or line/rope anchor rodes.
Douglas Malat is a licensed captain, sailor, powerboater, and co-creator of Yacht Authority.com, where you will find numerous boat services and boat accessories in your area.