Knot instead of chain hook

TiggerToo

TiggerToo

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Over the last 3 weeks of anchoring regularly, I used a snubbing arrangement made of a stretchy mooring warp tied onto the anchor chain with a rolling hitch. This seems to have worked very well: it was really easy to set up and really easy to undo when weighing anchor.

Having seen the article of YM about chain hooks, set me wondering: is there really any advantage of using a hook over a simple "free" knot?

Vyv C - what is your view on this - as the author of that neat article?
 
Good for the manufacturer's of chain hooks. A rolling hitch works fine for me. Innumerable nights spent at anchor.
 
One great advantage of using a rolling hitch, is that it can, depending on your deck layout, be made fast, and taken off the chain, inboard of the bow roller. Generally that is easier than leaning out past the bow to do it with a chain hook.
 
I've used both and would say the first advantage of a hook is that you can loosen the warp and remove it quite easily, with a rolling hitch you have to bring part of the chain inboard and then fiddle about to untie the knot.
 
l'escargot said:
I've used both and would say the first advantage of a hook is that you can loosen the warp and remove it quite easily, with a rolling hitch you have to bring part of the chain inboard and then fiddle about to untie the knot.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's my experience. A rolling hitch works OK but is a lot more fiddly than a good hook. The forged one in the article is what I replaced my wire one with when it bent open. It works extremely well, falls off as soon as the chain is wound in. There have been occasions when I would not have wanted to spend any time on the foredeck untieing knots. We have anchored around 100 nights this season so far - a good investment even for one season, although we have owned this one for five or six now.
 
After struggling with a chain hook for number of years, someone pointed out how a rolling hitch wouldn't fall off until asked to and I've never used the hook since.

My problem with the hook was getting it to stay on the chain, under the pulpit and outboard of the bow roller, while persuading a bight of more chain to leave its locker. Invariably this took several attempts and involved some swearing. I haven't seen the article; perhaps there's a tip to avoid my problem.

Incidentally, since then I have also been persuaded of the merit of using a seriously long (10m) piece o rope for an effective snubber.

Derek
 
I've never had trouble with either, they both work well. In recent years I've used a hook because it is a bit quicker and lazier, something I am expert in.
 
I've set off on long term cruising adventures twice and on both occasions have found that, after a couple of weeks of using my nice new chain hook, I've reverted to a rolling hitch - simple, effective, secure.
 
cpedw said:
After struggling with a chain hook for number of years, someone pointed out how a rolling hitch wouldn't fall off until asked to and I've never used the hook since.

My problem with the hook was getting it to stay on the chain, under the pulpit and outboard of the bow roller, while persuading a bight of more chain to leave its locker. Invariably this took several attempts and involved some swearing. I haven't seen the article; perhaps there's a tip to avoid my problem.

Incidentally, since then I have also been persuaded of the merit of using a seriously long (10m) piece o rope for an effective snubber.

Derek
Click to expand...
Similar to my experience but I gave up with hook after weeks, rather than years.
 
Another vote for the hitch. Over 100 nights at anchor now this year in uk southwest, including last night which was a bit of a stinker. We have a hook, but I prefer the knot.

Not seen any analysis done but does the hook potentially apply increased stress to the chain anyway? Always seemed like a bit of a lever on the chain as opposed to the soft and spread load from a hitch.... Based entirely on supposition.
 
I've always used a rolling hitch but this generally involves hanging upside down over the pulpit to tie it. Only a matter of time before I lose my sunglasses and I've often suspected that a hook might reduce the time-to-sundowner: a crucial measure which is involved in many of my calculations of accessory worth (e.g. stackpack).
 
laika said:
I've always used a rolling hitch but this generally involves hanging upside down over the pulpit to tie it. Only a matter of time before I lose my sunglasses and I've often suspected that a hook might reduce the time-to-sundowner: a crucial measure which is involved in many of my calculations of accessory worth (e.g. stackpack).
Click to expand...
tie the hitch prior to paying out the chain
 
Awlrite, then. Seeking to be just a little controversial ( moi? ), the question arises:


WHICH ROLLING HITCH IS BEST?


This one.....?


rolling_hitch.jpg



.....or this one?


rolling_hitch_to_pole-1.jpg




Discussion (of sorts ) here: http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Rolling_hitch ;)
 
sailorman said:
tie the hitch prior to paying out the chain
Click to expand...

Long answer: Bow roller sticks out. chain won't go over it with anything wrapped round it. Option 1: lie down on uncomfortable sticky-uppy things. Option 2 lean over pulpit. Being on the tall side I choose the latter
Short answer: If that was a good option chances are I'd have thought of it by now :-)
 
On my boat the high-sided metal bit which the anchor shank lies in (forgive my poor knowledge of terminology) is very narrow: Narrow enough to necessitate one of those fancy kong swivels done up with allen bolts as a conventional shackle would jam. 3 strand nylon rolling hitch round the chain? no chance.
 
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