Marking Chain

Knowing how much rode you have out is essential to proper anchoring. Before I had a windlass, using an all-fiber rode, I would measure it out as deployed, counting the fathoms by arm span. I can time the windlass (about 6 feet per second) but I always lose count. I tried the traditional bits of twine and the more modern approach of cable ties, but my windlass hates anything attached to the chain. Twine would jam on the stripper and cables ties were sheared off cleanly after a few cycles, the broken bits causing jams. The most obvious Solution was paint.

But how to mark 100 feet of chain on-deck without making a mess?

• Flake out the chain in even loops. In this case, 10-foot lengths fit across the tramp.
• Pick marking points and temporarily mark with tape. I chose 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet.
• Collect a box from the dumpster, notch it as needed, and paint away. Plain-old Rustoleum or anything similar will hold-up for years; it chips going through the windlass but remains visible between the links.
• Just leave the box on-deck until your next visit, to make sure it's dry. No rush.

Easy, fast, and neat. I painted the chain on the deck in a light breeze with no real risk of over-spray mess.

My 100-foot mark is long because I like to keep the splice off the windlass. Ever since I changed to the Irony Splice it passes just fine, but it's easy to attach the bridle if I stay on the chain.