Are Underwater Snubbers A Thing?

[Neeves]

Seems like they should be a bit bigger in that case.

They are really only of value in offering extra/differfent elesticity in short lengths of cordage.

If you have a situation where you want elasticity and strength then 3m of dyneema and 2 "compensators" (or 4) might be the answer.

They are really a waste of money (they are not cheap, compensators) if you have a mooring spring, of 10m.

But you can buy 'rubber' - and make your own.

Jonathan

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I could imagine that they could serve a purpose if there was a short sharp shock but insufficient to induce elasticity into a snubber line such that the yacht was being subjected to repeated snatch loads that weren't being absorbed by the snubber. It's possible to arrange the compensator such that it does not get fully stretched before the snubber line starts to become loaded thus achieving the best of both worlds.

 

[Star-Lord]

Seems like they should be a bit bigger in that case.

The rubber ones are designed for marina / med mooring berths - specifically the 2 bow lines - they work very well. The bigger ones for larger vessels are the ss spring type. Obviously a correct way to fit the springs… but even on a smaller boat the springs (used when stern to on med moorings) are also amazing.

 

[Star-Lord]

They are really only of value in offering extra/differfent elesticity in short lengths of cordage.

If you have a situation where you want elasticity and strength then 3m of dyneema and 2 "compensators" (or 4) might be the answer.

They are really a waste of money (they are not cheap, compensators) if you have a mooring spring, of 10m.

But you can buy 'rubber' - and make your own.

Jonathan

There seems to be e confusion when to use a compensator! I enclose a scenario at Carloforte med moored bow to. My boat was over 12tons.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1318560030166310912

 

[Dockhead]

I could imagine that they could serve a purpose if there was a short sharp shock but insufficient to induce elasticity into a snubber line such that the yacht was being subjected to repeated snatch loads that weren't being absorbed by the snubber. It's possible to arrange the compensator such that it does not get fully stretched before the snubber line starts to become loaded thus achieving the best of both worlds.

I use the rubber buffers. There are times when you need a shortish dock line for some reason or another. They won't absorb as much energy as a long, thick nylon line, but within their limitations they can be very useful.

I wouldn't use them with dyneema because they do break. If that happens with a dyneema line you'll get a bad shock load.