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KevinE · 17-06-2010, 07:54

I am looking for a devil's claw that will positively connect our bridal to chain on our 41' catamaran. Because the bridle is so long on a cat, it often lies on the seabed when anchored in shallow water so if it is not positively fastened we run the risk of it disconnecting.

**sandy daugherty** · 17-06-2010, 08:27

Both sides of my bridle are only long enough to reach the other bow. I bought a triangular chain grabber from a Sailor in Solomons Island that does what you want; details when I dig them up!

AnchorageGuy · 17-06-2010, 08:28

Try Washington Chain.

colemj · 17-06-2010, 09:19

You want the Wichard Chain Grip: Chain Grip Hooks on Wichard, Inc.

Mark

delmarrey · 17-06-2010, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by colemj

You want the Wichard Chain Grip: Chain Grip Hooks on Wichard, Inc.

Mark

That would be my suggestion also but they are not cheap at almost US$60.

Fisheries - Product Detail

KevinE · 17-06-2010, 11:40

I have (had) one of the Wichard grips - the safety pin is such a small diameter that when we rotated around our anchor, the chain binded with the safety pin and bent it. Still looking for other options.

Kevin

colemj · 17-06-2010, 12:41

No problem, ours has done that a couple of times also. It bends back straight pretty easy - a few taps with a screwdriver shaft or something similar.

There is also a product by Kong: Chain Gripper — Anchoring & Mooring —

Mark

**sandy daugherty** · 17-06-2010, 13:44

I like that one, Mark. I got this from another Cat owner who had some made locally.

stacy · 17-06-2010, 14:07

I concur with KevinE. we had one and the pin bent on it and we had to cut the pin with a hacksaw. It works good now though

delmarrey · 17-06-2010, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy daugherty

I like that one, Mark. I got this from another Cat owner who had some made locally.

That looks like a home made unite which looks pretty simple to make, although I'd make it from SS.

rumtum · 06-09-2010, 09:57

Kevin

see you asked about chain hook.. I am on a leopard 40 with same problem.. Always used a ss chain hook but it does drop off at times.. shallow water... Friend suggested wichard chair hook.. Its a great idea but I see one major problem.. It hooks across the chain link just fine.. A small pin spring loaded snaps shut to hld in place. BUT the chair pulls sideways agains hook and pin. I have had to straighten pin several times due to being bent. If you are in ahurry to get it off you could have a problem..

I am just getting ready to email wichard to see what they suggest.

KevinE · 06-09-2010, 14:37

Had the exact same issue. Mine is sitting in my spare shackle container. Just needs a heavier pin I think. It amazes me that nobody has solved this issue yet (at least elegantly that is).

colemj · 07-09-2010, 05:10

I had a long talk with the head of Wichard at the boat show">Annapolis boat show. He told me he wasn't aware of anyone ever having a problem with the pin bending. But he did seem interested in my experiences with it and spent time asking detailed questions about it.

I use one on each bridle arm, which puts the force on each chain grip in the proper place and not on the pin. In rare occasions, the chain twists onto the pin and puts a slight bend in it. The pin seems to be a soft material because I find I can just lightly tap it back straight using the body of the other chain grip.

Mark

sded · 07-09-2010, 05:46

I also had the pin on the Wichard chain hook bend and sieze the chain. Had to pound it out to get the chain up, so now just have the hook with no pin. Since there was another boat dragging down on me at the time, this is completely unacceptable emergency behavior-the Wichard chain hook is dangerous because of the pin design!