Anchor windlass

[Norman_E]

No need to worry about your chain nor deck fittings they will be stronger than the hold of your anchor

Jonathan

Unless your anchor gets jammed between rocks. The deck fittings are often the weakest link. I always used a bridle and a chain hook to take all of the load and share it between the two forward cleats, with the chain left slack between the hook and the windlass.

 

[Neeves]

Unless your anchor gets jammed between rocks. The deck fittings are often the weakest link. I always used a bridle and a chain hook to take all of the load and share it between the two forward cleats, with the chain left slack between the hook and the windlass.

I was assuming that the situation would be one in which a member here was involved and having kept upto date with recommendations would always use a chain lock or short strop to the chain and a strong point(s).

This was the situation you describe (and the end result of which I would have said was impossible). It was the anchor that failed not anything on the bow. The bow fittings are certainly beefy. I was not entirely impressed with the owner - after all of Peter Smith's design - the owner had drilled a hole through the shank to allow a retain pin to be used to secure the anchor on passage. British yacht in Honfleur (it was some sort of group sailing from the UK in company).



Jonathan