Windlass questions

[rbenyoung]

I took possession of a 1996 oceanis 400 last week. Spent last night at anchor. I have an all chain rode. How important is using a snubber line? The cleat i would use is near the toe rail about 3 feet from the anchor roller. Is it ok to lead the snubber line to this cleat? Its not directly behind the anchor roller.

Thanks

 

[NiceBeny]

Chain will not absorb shock from waves, etc and is hard on windlass use a snubber attached from chain to mooring cleats with slack in the chain at the windlass, there is video on you tube on how to do it. Easy

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

Also, many people will use two snubber lines attached to the same point on the chain, and then lead each side to the port and starboard bow cleats. This will address your concern about the cleat off to the side of the roller, as well as helping your bow avoid some of the side to side "hunting".

 

[TropicalSeattle]

I use a single line attached in the middle with a butterfly knot to a chain hook. I hook the chain, then tie one end of the line to each of the bow cleats, tying everything on the outside of all the gear and ignoring the anchor roller completely. It works ok, but since I have a very plumb bow, the chain/hook sometimes hits the bow and I really dislike that. If on the other hand I tie a single line with a chain hook, and lay it down alongside the chain, on the roller, I don't have that problem, but then I can't bring the snubber to one of the cleats with a fairlead, without chafing against the anchor roller edges or looping around the windlass (which defeats the purpose of avoiding the brunt of the stress on the windlass).

Any better ideas? If I had a cleat or a chain stopper right behind the windlass in line with the chain direction it would work better. A much longer line using the two cleats might work fine? Chafe protection instead?

The image below (very similar to my boat) may help understand my description better, note the cleat, roller and windlass positions.

 

[jibstay]

I've been really happy with the Mantus chain hook and bridle:

http://mantusanchors.com/mantus-bridle/

 

[4arch]

Congrats on the new 400! Using a snubber is always good practice to reduce shock loading and to take load off the windlass. The pivoting roller on the 400 can also bang up and down and make a lot of noise if under direct load. I don’t lead my snubber through the roller but off to the side through one of the bow dock line chocks and back to the deck cleat. I haven’t found sunbber leads to cleats on both sides to be necessary as “sailing” on the anchor doesn’t seem to be much of an issue with this hull design.

 

[Rick I]

On my 393 I have been using a chain hook spliced to 5/8 nylon 3 strand. I lead the snubber over the roller and back to a cleat. I have a 2 foot length of 1 inch reinforced hose over the nylon for chafe. The snubber line is about 30 feet long and how much goes out depends on the conditions.

 

[rbenyoung]

Guys, This is a big help. I bought the gear for the snubber today and will be putting it together tomorrow. I am going to try the 4arch suggestion first. I also like the tropicalseattle method. I was going to make the snubber about 10 ft. after Rick I suggested 30ft i think i will go longer. Thanks for your help.