Anchor Line and Rode

Q: What is the best rope for anchor rode?

3-strand twisted nylon. It stretches to absorb shock from waves and wind and splices easily to chain.

Q: How much anchor rode do I need?

Use a 7:1 scope: 7 feet of rode per 1 foot of depth. In 20 feet of water, at least 140 feet. Most boats carry 150 to 300 feet.

Q: Should I use all rope or rope and chain?

Most setups combine chain at the anchor with nylon rode to the boat. Chain resists abrasion and helps setting; nylon adds stretch. A rope-to-chain splice joins them.

Q: Why nylon for anchor rode?

Nylon's stretch lets the rode elongate and rebound as the boat surges, instead of shock-loading the anchor and hardware.

Nylon anchor rode that stretches to absorb load and helps your hook set and hold. Sold by the foot - splice an eye and add a chain leader for a complete rode.

Black double braid dock line coiled and cleated on a dock

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Anchor Lines and Ropes

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Mission Rope
3-Strand Twisted Nylon Rope
49 Reviews

Economical 3-strand nylon rope.

Starting from $0.14 / ft.
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More about anchor rope

Boat anchor ropes are weather-resistant and durable, especially when they're manufactured from brands like, New England Rope, Teufelberger, and more. We have anchor rope and anchor line for sale like anchor rode and chain, bungee anchor line, nylon anchor rope, and other products we consider to be the best anchor rope.

Anchor Rode Construction Guide

Two ways to build your rode — click to shop each

3-Strand Twisted Nylon

Standard Rode

3-Strand Nylon

Three twisted strands

Diameter: 1/4″–2″

Material: Nylon

Stretch: High

The standard anchor rode. Nylon's stretch absorbs surge from waves and wind so the anchor stays set, and 3-strand splices easily to chain.

Best for: All-around anchor rode

Shop Nylon Rode →

3-Strand Twisted Polyester

Less Stretch

3-Strand Polyester

Three twisted strands

Diameter: 1/4″–1″

Material: Polyester

Stretch: Lower

Abrasion: High

Less stretch and strong abrasion resistance for rocky or coral bottoms, or setups where you want a firmer, lower-stretch rode.

Best for: Abrasion, less give

Shop Polyester Rode →

Anchor Rode FAQ

Sizing, scope, and rode setup

What is the best rope for anchor rode?+

3-strand twisted nylon is the standard for anchor rode. It stretches under load to absorb shock from waves and wind gusts, and it splices easily to chain. That elasticity keeps the anchor from being jerked loose as the boat surges.

How much anchor rode do I need?+

The standard scope ratio is 7:1, meaning 7 feet of rode for every 1 foot of water depth measured from the bow. In 20 feet of water you want at least 140 feet out. Most boats carry 150 to 300 feet depending on where they anchor.

Should I use all rope or rope and chain?+

Most setups combine a length of chain at the anchor with nylon rode running up to the boat. The chain resists abrasion on the bottom and helps the anchor set at a low angle; the nylon adds stretch and keeps weight down. A rope-to-chain splice joins the two cleanly.

What size anchor line do I need?+

By boat length: 3/8 inch up to 20 feet, 1/2 inch for 20 to 30 feet, 5/8 inch for 30 to 45 feet, and 3/4 inch for 45 feet and up. Carry more length than you think you need for deeper anchorages.

Why nylon for anchor rode?+

Nylon's stretch is the whole point. As the boat rides up and back on waves, the rode elongates and rebounds instead of shock-loading the anchor and deck hardware. Low-stretch materials like polyester or Dyneema would transmit those loads straight through.