Warp or chain?


Warp and chain both have their protagonists, so we will not offer an opinion here as to which may ultimately be better.


Chain — the benefits • Chain is totally chafe resistant both at the stem head and on the sea bed.


Its weight confers four further advantages:


• Holds it down in a deep curve, applying a more horizontal pull for less scope, making it handier in tight or crowded anchorages.


• Helps damp the tendency of an anchored vessel to surge around.


• Encourages it to enter the water at a near-vertical angle unless it’s blowing hard, making it less vulnerable to passing vessels.


• Assists it to self-stow readily.


Chain — the drawbacks • Heavy to stow if it doesn’t live in a deep, self-stowing chain locker.


• Heavy to handle unless assisted by a windlass. • Potentially dangerous at cleats if care is not taken to protect fingers etc. Again, this danger is removed by a windlass.


• Comparatively expensive.


Warp — the benefits • Light to use. • Holds as well as chain, given enough scope and a good anchor.


• Easier to handle on a boat with no windlass. • Light weight is a benefit for light displacement craft where stowing heavy chain can produce trim issues.


• Springy nature helps absorb shock loads in extreme conditions.


Warp — the drawbacks • Stem-head chafe is an ever-present danger that must be neutralised.


• At least 5 metres of chain are required between rode and anchor to prevent sea-bed chafe and to improve pull angle.


• Large scope means wide swinging circles. • More easily fouled by other vessels. • Long length can create stowage issues. Consider stowing on a reel.


• Comparatively inconvenient on windlasses for larger craft.


Anchoring - warp v chain


Chain


Chain and rope


78 | MANUAL OF SEAMANSHIP


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