Kong Anchor Chain Gripper

[Refueler]

Your comment cannot apply to a yacht with a windlass. All of the rope must be removed if the chain is going to be returned to the locker. As said, it is difficult to imagine a circumstance in which the tension in the snubber cannot be released by hauling in the chain. My hook always falls off at this stage.

Like everything in life - there's always various ways means and aspects ... we can all quote or think scenarios that suit one argument or other. I am not trying to be rude there ...

I happen to know of one specific case where guy could not get anchor in - it was foul on the bottom .. he had to let all chain out till his rope and then cut. OK - its not cutting the snubber ... but its an example of means to solve situation. Same as your windlass to haul in chain.

I have a Windlass - but I never use - its just a pain as its slow and I need someone to feed chain in the locker to keep chain set on the gypsy ...

 

[noelex]

I would suggest trying a few different chain to snubber connection options. There are differences of opinion as to which is best.

A Dyneema soft shackle has my vote. It can never bend (and therefore never jam), slip or fall off. (A captive soft shackle is even better, as this will also not fall off and become lost even when undone, but you will need to make this yourself ). These are all powerful advantages. The biggest drawback is they can be subject to some chafe so replacement after around 600 nights at anchor is probably a good idea.

One nice thing about soft shackles is that they have so many uses so if one does not work for the chain snubber connection it will find a home in another application.

 

[vyv_cox]

I would suggest trying a few different chain to snubber connection options. There are differences of opinion as to which is best.

A Dyneema soft shackle has my vote. It can never bend (and therefore never jam), slip or fall off. (A captive soft shackle is even better, as this will also not fall off and become lost even when undone, but you will need to make this yourself ). These are all powerful advantages. The biggest drawback is they can be subject to some chafe so replacement after around 600 nights at anchor is probably a good idea.

One nice thing about soft shackles is that they have so many uses so if one does not work for the chain snubber connection it will find a home in another application.

A small advantage of a soft shackle is that it can be hauled over the bow roller for disconnection on deck. On our boat it is very difficult to reach anything ahead of the roller.
We met a man who inadvertently hauled a connector like the OP over his bow roller. Not only did it bend the pin, making it very difficult to get the thing off, but it also damaged his windlass.
For us, threading a soft shackle through 8 mm chain is far too tedious by comparison with placing a hook, but we do use one to attach the anchor shackle to the deck.

 

[vyv_cox]

Underwater shot of my snubber hook attached to the chain. this cannot come off provided the chain loop is big enough.

 

[noelex]

This is an earlier version of the soft shackle on our old boat. We now have improved this set up with a captive soft shackle and HMWPE (Dyneema) on parts of the snubber for chafe protection.

One further advantage of the soft shackle over a metal chain hook is that it is relatively kind on the chain galvanising.

 

[vyv_cox]

This is an earlier version of the soft shackle on our old boat. We now have improved this set up with a captive soft shackle and HMWPE (Dyneema) on parts of the snubber for chafe protection.

One further advantage of the soft shackle over a metal chain hook is that it is relatively kind on the chain galvanising.

Great photo. Somehow looks ominous!

 

[bumblefish]

I think the OP was asking about the Kong for attaching a "mooring strop".
I have the impression everyone is talking about their experiences with anchor snubbers, which may -or may not- be the question asked.
Would you use a chain hook/rolling hitches with a vertical chain on a concrete quay in a tidal area, or to the chain of a mooring buoy, if you wanted the mooring to last for a few days, with alternate slack and tension? Possibly yes, each to his own.
Among the several options (let's add chain loops, wire loops, direct shackles, rope loops, rope knots, etc etc) there are occasions where one means may suit better than others. The OP shackle (I have myself much reduced its use in anchor snubbers) has a number of occasions where it has its purpose, like anything else.

Thank you all for your comments however I was asking about using this to take the snatch off a chain on a mooring buoy when on my mooring. Roberto spotted that! Isn't it wonderful how a poorly worded question can be a stimulus to thread drift and our diverse opinions. Thank you all for making this forum as much fun as it was when I joined. )))))))

 

[Refueler]

Thank you all for your comments however I was asking about using this to take the snatch off a chain on a mooring buoy when on my mooring. Roberto spotted that! Isn't it wonderful how a poorly worded question can be a stimulus to thread drift and our diverse opinions. Thank you all for making this forum as much fun as it was when I joined. )))))))

Give it fair dues. The question of how to attach a chain stopper leads to the pros and cons of using one. Many people have strong views against them. So they offered alternatives ... hooks .. soft shackles ... rope etc.

It was really up to you as the originator of the first post and question to re-direct or comment on the path the thread took. No-one would have objected.

Anyway - glad you enjoyed it ...

 

[noelex]

Thank you all for your comments however I was asking about using this to take the snatch off a chain on a mooring buoy when on my mooring. Roberto spotted that! Isn't it wonderful how a poorly worded question can be a stimulus to thread drift and our diverse opinions. Thank you all for making this forum as much fun as it was when I joined. )))))))

Diverse opinions and thread drift? Surely you jest .

I rarely attach to a mooring, but I don’t think a soft shackle is the best solution for this application, so ignore my suggestions . The potential chafe if this is long term connection would not be ideal.

A rated metal shackle would be my pick, but others with more experience may have better suggestions.

 

[Refueler]

Diverse opinions and thread drift? Surely you jest .

I rarely attach to a mooring, but I don’t think a soft shackle is the best solution for this application, so ignore my suggestions . The potential chafe if this is long term connection would not be ideal.

A rated metal shackle would be my pick, but others with more experience may have better suggestions.

TBH .. if the intention is to use for a mooring where boat will be on for reasonable long periods .. the Gripper and Hook would definitely not be on my list.

I would as many others do - have a mooring strop joined to the chain ...kinder to the boat etc (I actually had 3 .... because I left my boat for long periods while abroad on travels .. 1 to main samson post, 1 to the windlass as back up, 3 to another strong point just in case).

 

[Neeves]

A small advantage of a soft shackle is that it can be hauled over the bow roller for disconnection on deck. On our boat it is very difficult to reach anything ahead of the roller.
We met a man who inadvertently hauled a connector like the OP over his bow roller. Not only did it bend the pin, making it very difficult to get the thing off, but it also damaged his windlass.
For us, threading a soft shackle through 8 mm chain is far too tedious by comparison with placing a hook, but we do use one to attach the anchor shackle to the deck.

If you find threading a soft shackle through 8mm chain difficult, think of why we don't bother with 6mm chain. If you cut out 6mm and 8mm chain from the equation I'd guess that means most of the people on YBW unable to use a soft shackle. As we use a bridle our 'hook' is 'different' and in our case custom made. But we never had a problem with a cast stainless hook (but don't use the Mantus hook - it will damage your galvanising and may damage the link). The Mantus hook is also huge and will definitely not come over most bow rollers. K&W have a rather neat Duplex hook in their Cromox range (which I would covet did we use a single line snubber) it might come over a bow roller.

Jonathan

 

[vyv_cox]

Thank you all for your comments however I was asking about using this to take the snatch off a chain on a mooring buoy when on my mooring. Roberto spotted that! Isn't it wonderful how a poorly worded question can be a stimulus to thread drift and our diverse opinions. Thank you all for making this forum as much fun as it was when I joined. )))))))

Years ago when we had a mooring on the Menai Strait we were told that a 1/2 inch pickup chain was needed and this was supplied by the contractor. One day our mooring was not available and our contractor told us to use his. I was surprised to see that, despite his insistence that we use chain, his pickup was 25 mm rope. In his defence he probably used the mooring every day, making checking his rope for wear routine. I guess this might be an option for you if you can monitor its condition regularly

 

[Boo2]

How would you attach this to a mooring strop? Shackle or thimble?

Used a thimble on mine which worked a treat. I did wonder afterwards if a round turn followed by a haliard hitch would have been as good though...

Boo2

 

[Boo2]

Thank you all for your comments however I was asking about using this to take the snatch off a chain on a mooring buoy when on my mooring...

That's what I use mine for and I'm still convinced it's the best solution for that use due to the definite attachment it offers and the non-susceptibilty to chafe. My snubber runs the length of the side deck, through the sheet turnaround blocks to a sheet winch. 9mm nylon octoplait, and essentially no chafe along the entire length.

Boo2