What is the collective term for all the anchor gear between a boat and its anchor?

The term that encompasses all the anchor gear connecting a boat to its anchor is "rode." This term is used to describe the combination of chain and line (rope) that you use when anchoring a vessel. The rode includes both the length of chain that is often used to provide weight and help hold the anchor in place, as well as any line that may be attached to the anchor for additional length or flexibility.

In anchoring terminology, specifically when referring to the components collectively, "rode" is the appropriate term because it indicates the complete system that operates to hold a vessel in place. While "chain" refers solely to that specific part of the rode and "line" generally refers to rope, neither term captures the combination needed to describe the complete anchor system. "Cable," in this context, might suggest a rigid connection like that found in various mechanical applications, but it is not used in the anchoring vocabulary. Thus, "rode" correctly identifies the entire anchor connection setup.