Best splice for....

[[3889]]

... attaching a chain grab hook with an 18mm diameter hole to 16mm three strand? An eye splice or a chain splice?

 

[zambant]

I think an eye splice with a steel thimble.

Chain splice is tighter and should reduce chafe

- but i use a bowline - works for me

John

 

[[3889]]

I didn't think an thimble for 16mm line would go through the hole and I also want it to run as smoothly as possible over anchor roller, hence un-thimbled splice in preference to knot.

 

[jerrytug]

Short answer, chain splice is designed for the job. You have to keep checking for chafe though.

Is it for a snubber usually, plus odd jobs like sitting a bit sideways to the chain, in a swell for example?
A 16mm line seems more than thick enough, are you anout 5 tons?
You could see what is the largest hard eye you can force through the hole, and use that?

 

[[3889]]

Short answer, chain splice is designed for the job. You have to keep checking for chafe though.

Is it for a snubber usually, plus odd jobs like sitting a bit sideways to the chain, in a swell for example?
A 16mm line seems more than thick enough, are you anout 5 tons?
You could see what is the largest hard eye you can force through the hole, and use that?

Yes on all counts. I may have a go with a nylon eye shaved down where necessary. Thanks.

 

[Tranona]

A tight eye splice is fine for that job. It will be obvious if you get any wear - which is highly unlikely if you are using it for a snubber.

 

[john_morris_uk]

A tight eye splice is fine for that job. It will be obvious if you get any wear - which is highly unlikely if you are using it for a snubber.

I agree; its not as though you are likely to lose the boat as the chain will still be secured presumably.

A simple eye-splice will be fine ands keep an eye on it for wear.

 

[Billjratt]

I used a hard eye and shackle. Had it for years and has seen some heavy use - no wear. It never has to feed through the roller, just hook it onto chain that is already outboard.

 

[estarzinger]

Any of the splices will be fine . . . The important thing is to make sure is that the inside of the chain hook eye is smooth. Many of them have a casting ridge, which is sharp, and will cut the line when it comes under load. If there is such a ridge you need to grind/sand it smooth/flush.

 

[cryan]

I used a hard eye and shackle. Had it for years and has seen some heavy use - no wear. It never has to feed through the roller, just hook it onto chain that is already outboard.

I agree. A shackle from the Devil's Claw on to a hard eye would allow better direction of loading on the rig and reduce wear on the seizing/snubbing line.

 

[vyv_cox]

Firstly, I believe 16 mm is far too thick for a snubber for your boat. The whole point of a snubber is that it should behave elastically, in which case going too thick defeats the object. My snubber for a 34 ft boat weighing seven tons in cruising mode, is 11 mm doublebraid nylon. Three strand rope has rather more stretch than doublebraid but mine stretches well in gusty conditions. For you I would think that 14 mm would be more than adequate and you might well get away with 12 mm. It has been suggested that snubber lines be changed every couple of years, although I have had mine for 20.

Doublebraid can be spliced of course but I have never bothered, just use a bowline. Never a problem and wear has not been an issue. The type of hook you have chosen is good, the wire type I had previously bent open, releasing the chain in surging conditions.

 

[[3889]]

Firstly, I believe 16 mm is far too thick for a snubber for your boat. The whole point of a snubber is that it should behave elastically, in which case going too thick defeats the object.

I agree; its not as though you are likely to lose the boat as the chain will still be secured presumably.

I have actually bought 12mm and decided it was too thin. My reasoning is that, if the line parts it is likely to be under heavy shock load and I don't want to transfer that to my windlass or even a cleat if I make the chain off.

I used a hard eye and shackle. Had it for years and has seen some heavy use - no wear. It never has to feed through the roller, just hook it onto chain that is already outboard.

This is possible but awkward as my pulpit is narrow at the base. I currently tie a rolling hitch to the chain whilst it is inboard then feed it out, though I can see that attaching the hook outboard is a lot easier than tying a knot.


Thanks for all advice

 

[jwilson]

http://www.yachtsnet.co.uk/P1040191.jpg shows mine with an eye splice, though it is a short strop as all it is used for is to transfer load from the windlass to a deck cleat. The Wichard hooks are very smooth castings, mine are anyway. I do have a second considerably longer one that will go over the bow roller to put some stretch into an anchor rode, but have never actually used it.

I think a chain splice will be weaker than an eye splice....

 

[Tranona]

I have actually bought 12mm and decided it was too thin. My reasoning is that, if the line parts it is likely to be under heavy shock load and I don't want to transfer that to my windlass or even a cleat if I make the chain off.

12mm would be fine. Think you would find 16mm very difficult to thread through the hole and difficult and bulky to splice. Mine is 12mm 3 strand with an ordinary eye splice and has never shown signs of wear in 5 years of use. I also have an eye splice on the other end the right length to go on a cleat , but if I did another I would probably leave the tail longer and plain.