Anchor Chain Hook Poll

[Toys_with_time]

Boat came with a snap shackle on the bridle but that lasted until a decent blow when the pin bent and had a struggle to release it.


Then tried the Wichard but had a tendency to unhook itself particularly if at a bouncy anchorage although leaving a large loop of chain helped.


Currently using an S hook which i have had the small eye bent back and welded onto the shank but havent tested it in a blow (I always have a lashing backstop on the chain in case the bridle lets go).

Like the look of the Mantus so also interested to hear some reviews.

TwT

[cfarrar]

Other = Amsteel strop via a Kleimheist. Snubber attaches to the strop with a Wichard mooring hook.

I don't think the Victory hook is made by Wichard.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by cfarrar

Other = Amsteel strop via a Kleimheist. Snubber attaches to the strop with a Wichard mooring hook.

I don't think the Victory hook is made by Wichard.

Do you have a picture of your chain hook setup ?

So you rap the Amsteel Strop (Closed loop of line) around the chain using a Kleimheist knot. And that holds and does not chafe?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by daddle

Eye-Grab Hook because it does fall off. Makes retrieval much easier. Only a klutz would let it become unhooked during deployment.

I must differ. On multihulls, where the bridle is long enough to rest on the bottom in shallow anchorages, even if deployed properly it can work off with tide changes, perhaps one chance in 20. So can any other non-locking hook, with the plausible exception of the Mantus hook. I've had chain plates, eye hooks, and a Captain hook (borrowed) work loose AFTER the anchor was set. Hard sand seem most unforgiving, so that is where I tested.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by thinwater

I must differ. On multihulls, where the bridle is long enough to rest on the bottom in shallow anchorages, even if deployed properly it can work off with tide changes, perhaps one chance in 20. So can any other non-locking hook, with the plausible exception of the Mantus hook. I've had chain plates, eye hooks, and a Captain hook (borrowed) work loose AFTER the anchor was set. Hard sand seem most unforgiving, so that is where I tested.

Glade to see someone else has been in my shoes.
On a cat with a big bridal you need a positive lock.

[Pelagic]

From the Poll, it looks like I am the only one using a homemade grabber, except mine is properly spliced with stainless thimbles/ much heavier made and plate is a bit wider.

I think you need to buy or build a stopper for your own bow design and worst case scenarios.

In heavy wind Conditions:

• I want a wide bridal taken further back to minimize shear.
• Lower the angle so sheer load will clear the bobstay and dolphin striker
• Ability to extend snubber bridle far out to handle developing seas.
• Shared load on heavy bridal, that is weighed down by a large bight of anchor chain that is deployed in water like a sea anchor.
• Remove all stress from anchor winch so as to deploy 2nd anchor if needed
• Must be able to easily fall off, when stress is relieved from bridal.

I have used mine to anchor in a few Typhoons and it has worked well

[goboatingnow]

I've always rolling hitches. Why use a hook


Dave

[cfarrar]

Do you have a picture of your chain hook setup ?

No, but I plagiarized the whole setup from a CF member, maybe Mark Johnson? Anyway:
- Splice a nylon snubber (two for a bridle) to a heavy duty snap hook like the Wichard #2327.
- Make a 3' long, 3/8" Amsteel strop with a eye in each end (Brummel lockstitch).
- Attach the strop to the chain or rope rode with a Kleimheist (single snubber) or Prussik (bridled snubbers). Snap the snubber(s) to the strop's eyelets. Cleat the snubber(s).

- The 3/8" Amsteel is overkill, but the extra chafe resistance is reassuring.
- It's cheaper (and arguably easier) to simply attach a nylon snubber to your rode with a hitch, but the strop is nice because you don't have to pass the tail of your 30' long snubber all the way through the hitch. Plus, the Amsteel is really chafe resistant, and the smaller diameter line really grabs onto the chain or nylon rode.

[Sandero]

I use a stainless steel reefing or cunningham hook

[cfarrar]

So you rap the Amsteel Strop (Closed loop of line) around the chain using a Kleimheist knot. An that holds and does not chafe?

Once the hitch seizes to chain (or nylon rode), it seizes like a vice, so there's no movement. And Amsteel / Spectra is more chafe resistant than nylon.

[River Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I went to this hook from a Winchard. It does slip off if you don't set it properly, but it goes on and off a lot easier, and appears very beefy.

We have the 3/8" version.

Victory

I use the 5/16 size & have never had a problem, when looking for something it appeared to be the best design & strongest built.

[Kashmir cat]

I like the Kong/Seadog chain gripper because it stays on no matter what. The only problem with it is that it's breaking load is less than my chain's working load. The Wichard gripper suffers from the same problem. I just bought a Mantus chain hook. It is one huge piece of metal! The company states it has the same working load as HT chain. By the looks of it, I'm sure it has at least the same breaking load as my chain. It stays on pretty good but can slip off every once in a while while traveling over the anchor roller so I had two 1/8" holes drilled so I can span the opening with some seizing wire. Problem solved.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Paperbird

Is there a poll here?

I use the old fashioned rolling hitch to connect snubber to chain.

Ditto. Should have been a choice.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Ditto. Should have been a choice.

Your wish has come true. Happy New Year.

[charliehows]

rusty old eye grab hook - never ever EVER falls off unless i drop the rope, then it falls off straight away, as its meant to. I think it depends how you use it - i run it through a fairlead, hook the anchor chain, pull it up to about a foot below deck level then run out an extra metre of chain inside it to allow for plenty of boat movement. I see a lot of boats with the whole thing below the waterline, wouldnt do it that way meself...