Anchor snubber length/ diameter?
Posted by blackcatunderaladder@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 12 comments
My eyes are going cross trying to figure out recommendations for the length and diameter of three strand line for anchor snubbers. 5/16 chain, 34 foot boat, I'd like to run two lines,
-- one from each bow cleat. Thanks, as always!
Westar-35@reddit
I run two 5/8” 3-strand nylon to a mantis snubber shackle from my bow cleats. The excess line I tie with a sheet bend between the cleats in case one lets go somehow.
Waterlifer@reddit
Think in terms of 7/16. I wouldn't suggest two lines, there's no benefit, and one side will take most of the load most of the time.
Shhheeeesshh@reddit
If it’s not even sure, but if you do it right the load will generally be pretty equalized. It also keeps you pointed into the wind better, therefore making it more comfortable at anchor.
If you’re just running one line you will end up slightly more beam to the wind and you’ll roll more.
Brilliant_Ice84@reddit
This has been my experience as well. I used to have a single line snubber and my boat sailed all over the place. I now run a two line, 5/8”, 8-plait nylon snubber with a Mantus M3 chain hook on my 5/16 chain. That Mantus M3 chain hook is awesome, BTW.
H0LD_FAST@reddit
even on our monohull, we started using a bridle set up all the time and it works much better than a single strand. We used to only bridle over 25kts of wind...but at this point we just leave the bridle hooked up at the bow all the time with an anchor hook and it has only been a positive improvement this season.
furiousfotographie@reddit
I go super low tech - I tie a prussik onto the chain and then hitch each end off to a bow cleat. Then run the chain out until the cleats take the load.
Cheap, simple, easy to balance, and nothing to break except the ridiculously strong line and when it starts to show a little chafe, it's cheap enough that there's no reason not to replace it immediately.
FarAwaySailor@reddit
Surely a symmetrical prussic won't function as intended in one direction if each end is taken to a cleat?
furiousfotographie@reddit
I think it comes down to the angle the tails are pulled in when they leave the hitch. The cleats on my boat are probably only 3-4 feet apart and i usually have appx 8ft of line out which keeps the angle very acute so it's not spreading the hitch open.
All i can say is that it's never slipped in hundreds of nights at anchor to include a pretty bad storm with peak winds over 60kts. I've even been in some pretty spinny spots with currents swinging me around for a couple of days and it's gotten super twisted and tangled up but never slipped. I do reset it every couple of days now if I'm in an anchorage where I'm spinning a lot, just cuz it's a huge pain to untangle if i let it go for a week.
texasrigger@reddit
There's two "general rule" proportions to consider. The norm is for your line diameter to be double the chain. That means your 5/16" chain would take 5/8" line. The other thing to consider is the cleats. The normal line to horn cleat ratio is 1" of cleat for every 1/16" of line diameter so that 5/8" line would require a 10" cleat.
Secret-Temperature71@reddit
First understand the purpose of the snubber. It is there to take shock loading off the anchor so that it does not get jerked out of the bottom. Snubbers should be considered an expendable item. It should have elasticity, the more the better.
On my heavy 44’ cutter, 40,000 pounds. 1/2” laid nylon, tied to the anchor. I let it down to just above the water line. I run it back to a mid-ship cleat, so it is nice and long. Lots of elasticity. And it is pretty long, because the knot gets screwed up and has ti be cut off occasionally, so I sacrifice a couple of feet of line. Seems to work perfectly well.
StuwyVX220@reddit
We are on our 4th iteration of a snubber/bridle. For sure length need to be longer than the distance from the bow cleat to the bottom of the hull.
diekthx-@reddit
Half-inch nylon brait. A sewn or whipped eye in the middle of the line is sufficient. Attach to your chain with a soft shackle.