How much thought do you put into the size and type of line you use?
Thanks! Would you recommend over the roller or two lines/ends that split sides and through the dock line holes to the cleats?
IMHO bridles are fine for quieting the chain, but not so much in providing snubbing action, which needs to take place over a longer distance, with 30' or so generally recommended. A length of octoplait with a breaking strength equal to the chain, secured with Dyneema soft shackles at either end, with an overhang of chain equal to the 20% stretch of the line (safe working stretch) so the chain takes up the load only after the snub line has stretched is a good "big blow" snubber. You can use a lighter snub line for less exciting anchoring.
A properly configured snubber significantly diminishes the total force of wind and wave on an anchored vessel, with the length, diameter and construction of the snub line determining how much force will be diminished before the chain takes the load.
Delfin,
So with the 30ft the Snubber would extend to the water or below?
The Mantus bridle I linked to has 3 sizes, with lengths between 28 to 34 feet (along with varying rope diameter).
IMHO bridles are fine for quieting the chain, but not so much in providing snubbing action, which needs to take place over a longer distance, with 30' or so generally recommended. A length of octoplait with a breaking strength equal to the chain, secured with Dyneema soft shackles at either end, with an overhang of chain equal to the 20% stretch of the line (safe working stretch) so the chain takes up the load only after the snub line has stretched is a good "big blow" snubber. You can use a lighter snub line for less exciting anchoring.
A properly configured snubber significantly diminishes the total force of wind and wave on an anchored vessel, with the length, diameter and construction of the snub line determining how much force will be diminished before the chain takes the load.
There are several options.
I like low-tech and simple. I use two methods depending on the moood. One is a a line with a rolling hitch on the chain. The rolling hitch is easy to put one, easy to take off, and won’t fall off.
The 2nd method is I use a dyneema loop wrapped around the chain and soft shackle to attach the bridle or snubber to the dyneema loop.
View attachment 77238View attachment 77239
I used to use the bridal with 1/2" nylon lines though the house pipes. As the boat swung, you could hear the line loading (stretching) and unloading as it squeaked going through the abuse pipes. Then the lines would periodically rub on the hanging chain. Noisy for a forward master stateroom boat. Prefer the single line over the bow roller. With 50' of snubber line and 350' of chain, it's quite easy to adjust the snubber length if conditions deteriorate. The other nice thing about 3/4" quality 3 strand, it's inexpensive and you have to justify replacing it after a monster blow.
Ted
There are several options.
I like low-tech and simple. I use two methods depending on the moood. One is a a line with a rolling hitch on the chain. The rolling hitch is easy to put one, easy to take off, and won’t fall off.
The 2nd method is I use a dyneema loop wrapped around the chain and soft shackle to attach the bridle or snubber to the dyneema loop.
View attachment 77238View attachment 77239
For attachment I use a similar soft shackle, but thread it through one of the chain links, thereby eliminating the choker around the chain.
A bridle can be made with any length of line you like. I use a bridle made up of 2 x 25’ lengths of 1/2” 3-strand. A bridle with a combined length of 50’ is not the same as a snubber of 50’. I seem to recall a Practical Sailor article a couple years ago that indicated that the equivalent snubber is about 70% of the total line length of a bridle. So my bridle would be roughly the equivalent of a 35’ 1/2” snubber.
Your point is a good one though and while I think my bridle is more than adequate for my needs, there could be situations where I would want a longer bridle with potentially heavier line. Alternatively, I could just add a length of 5/8” 3-strand from the bridle to the chain creating a Y. 25’ would give me the equivalent of a 60’ snubber. I also think that brait would be a nicer choice than my 3-strand, but I’m really cheap. I can get 3-strand pretty inexpensively but not so with brait.
That would work. I used the thimble to reduce chaffing. What I really have are two thimbles that are attached to the dyneema loop with a shift shackle.Dave, any reason why you could just pass a snubber line (just a plain line) through the other end of the dyneema loop, then attach to the bow cleats? Eliminate the eye?
Good points Ted. I find the bridle reduces sailing at anchor on my boat. My hawse pipes also are a lot beefier than the cleat next to the windlass so in my case that are more secure.I used to use the bridal with 1/2" nylon lines though the house pipes. As the boat swung, you could hear the line loading (stretching) and unloading as it squeaked going through the abuse pipes. Then the lines would periodically rub on the hanging chain. Noisy for a forward master stateroom boat. Prefer the single line over the bow roller. With 50' of snubber line and 350' of chain, it's quite easy to adjust the snubber length if conditions deteriorate. The other nice thing about 3/4" quality 3 strand, it's inexpensive and you have to justify replacing it after a monster blow.
Ted
Yeah, there is a reason I make my own. I can custom fit them for any purpose. [emoji6]When you are searching for soft shackles on Amazon. Hmmm.....
When you are searching for soft shackles on Amazon. Hmmm.....