mick
Member
Does anyone know where I can get this in the 8-12 mm size, galvanised? Kong is, I believe, an Italian company. If you have 8mm chain, don't buy the Plastimo version as the pin is too big.
Kong anchor connector
- Thread starter mick
- Start date
srm
Well-known member
There was a thread about anchor connectors a while back and I am puzzled. Why do people use anchor connectors as I have yet to see one that I would trust?
In 20 plus years of cruising I have always used a shackle with the largest diameter pin that will go through the chain link without any problems. If the anchor comes up facing outwards a half twist in the last few links of chain will bring it onto the roller the correct way. All other twists in the chain seem to come out as the anchor is being lifted from the sea bed.
Admittedly, my anchoring experience is limited to the range of 15 kg on 8mm chain through to 30 kg on 9.5 mm or 12 mm chain and at times leaving a boat for weeks at a time on her own anchor(s). For 9 years as a charter skipper I averaged 2000 miles of coastal cruising each year with most nights being spent at anchor.
Have I missed something along the way or is an anchor connector yet another 'essential' foisted on people to make them part with money?
Sean
In 20 plus years of cruising I have always used a shackle with the largest diameter pin that will go through the chain link without any problems. If the anchor comes up facing outwards a half twist in the last few links of chain will bring it onto the roller the correct way. All other twists in the chain seem to come out as the anchor is being lifted from the sea bed.
Admittedly, my anchoring experience is limited to the range of 15 kg on 8mm chain through to 30 kg on 9.5 mm or 12 mm chain and at times leaving a boat for weeks at a time on her own anchor(s). For 9 years as a charter skipper I averaged 2000 miles of coastal cruising each year with most nights being spent at anchor.
Have I missed something along the way or is an anchor connector yet another 'essential' foisted on people to make them part with money?
Sean
Stemar
Well-known member
[ QUOTE ]
Why do people use anchor connectors as I have yet to see one that I would trust?
[/ QUOTE ]I'm inclined to agree. I just use a big enough shackle that I KNOW it won't let go.
Why do people use anchor connectors as I have yet to see one that I would trust?
[/ QUOTE ]I'm inclined to agree. I just use a big enough shackle that I KNOW it won't let go.
steve_cronin
N/A
Consider....
Lightweight female crew on foredeck of Med based boat and 35lb hook comes up inverted.
Do you expect her to risk her fingers twisting the few links of chain betwixt bow roller and windlass gipsy and possibly the chain jumping off?
Don't know how the inversion happens even when we stay on all chain but it does. Sometimes the chain gets kinked over the shackle resulting in the same effect or the grip of modern rubber bow rollers stops the chain freeing itself. The swivel (Kong SS in our case) allows the hook to fall into it's proper position for safe stowage. Since the Kong doesn't rely upon it's assembly screws to bear on the chain or anchor bow shackle (essential IMV to avoid sideways strain on the connector if the anchor gets wedged between two rocks - a common occurance on Med bottoms) it is a very reliable device. I have used them on several boats, even in the Solent, nay ESPECIALLY in the Solent where an anchor can be tripped by the boat being wrapped around it's cable due to a combination of ebb & flood and the wind.
Yes any device with moving parts is suceptible to malfunction but then we're operating lightly used pleasure craft not heavy commercial ones and provided that regular inspection is carried out by a fastidious owner then the risk is minimal.
Steve Cronin
Lightweight female crew on foredeck of Med based boat and 35lb hook comes up inverted.
Do you expect her to risk her fingers twisting the few links of chain betwixt bow roller and windlass gipsy and possibly the chain jumping off?
Don't know how the inversion happens even when we stay on all chain but it does. Sometimes the chain gets kinked over the shackle resulting in the same effect or the grip of modern rubber bow rollers stops the chain freeing itself. The swivel (Kong SS in our case) allows the hook to fall into it's proper position for safe stowage. Since the Kong doesn't rely upon it's assembly screws to bear on the chain or anchor bow shackle (essential IMV to avoid sideways strain on the connector if the anchor gets wedged between two rocks - a common occurance on Med bottoms) it is a very reliable device. I have used them on several boats, even in the Solent, nay ESPECIALLY in the Solent where an anchor can be tripped by the boat being wrapped around it's cable due to a combination of ebb & flood and the wind.
Yes any device with moving parts is suceptible to malfunction but then we're operating lightly used pleasure craft not heavy commercial ones and provided that regular inspection is carried out by a fastidious owner then the risk is minimal.
Steve Cronin
gianenrico
Member
Re: Consider....
Hello,
Here is the site, hope it helps You finding a local distributor:
http://www.kong.it/index.htm
Cheers,
Gianenrico
Hello,
Here is the site, hope it helps You finding a local distributor:
http://www.kong.it/index.htm
Cheers,
Gianenrico
mick
Member
Re: Consider....
Thanks. I tried to contact the company through the site but was unable to do so.
Thanks. I tried to contact the company through the site but was unable to do so.
boatmike
Well-known member
I think the main problem is that a shackle often won't go through the bow roller. I use one for that reason but it is in fact a Kong (I think stocked by Marine Superstore in Portsmouth) rather than the Chinese ones that are suspect. If I could get a regular shackle through the roller I probably wouldn't bother though as I have never found a problem with a shackle where I had room for one.
hylass
New member
"I think the main problem is that a shackle often won't go through the bow roller."
"Why do people use anchor connectors as I have yet to see one that I would trust?"
Perfectly right.. and on my side also, I will NEVER use any kind of anchor connector without a WRITTEN comitment of the manufacturer giving the guaranted working load of the connector..
On my own boat, I use a toogle.. the same kind that is used for the rigging.. and always one size bigger than the chain (12 mm Toogle for a 10 mm chain..)
"Why do people use anchor connectors as I have yet to see one that I would trust?"
Perfectly right.. and on my side also, I will NEVER use any kind of anchor connector without a WRITTEN comitment of the manufacturer giving the guaranted working load of the connector..
On my own boat, I use a toogle.. the same kind that is used for the rigging.. and always one size bigger than the chain (12 mm Toogle for a 10 mm chain..)
srm
Well-known member
Re: Consider....
QUOTE "Lightweight female crew on foredeck of Med based boat and 35lb hook comes up inverted.
Do you expect her to risk her fingers twisting the few links of chain betwixt bow roller and windlass gipsy and possibly the chain jumping off? "
Hi Steve,
No I would not expect her (or anyone else) to try and twist a few links of chain between roller and gypsy. Why not mark the chain so that she can stop the windlass with the anchor at water level. Look over the bow and if the anchor is out of line twist the chain between roller and anchor, which will turn easily, before winding the hook onto the roller.
Of course if you want to do everything remotely and don't watch the gear comming up you will have to risk using inferior connections between chain and anchor.
This is not personal, as I don't know you or your crew but having watchd many crews you may also consider if a lightweight female is the best person on the foredeck. In many cases I would put her on the helm and the usual macho male who hogs the cockpit on the foredeck.
Sean.
QUOTE "Lightweight female crew on foredeck of Med based boat and 35lb hook comes up inverted.
Do you expect her to risk her fingers twisting the few links of chain betwixt bow roller and windlass gipsy and possibly the chain jumping off? "
Hi Steve,
No I would not expect her (or anyone else) to try and twist a few links of chain between roller and gypsy. Why not mark the chain so that she can stop the windlass with the anchor at water level. Look over the bow and if the anchor is out of line twist the chain between roller and anchor, which will turn easily, before winding the hook onto the roller.
Of course if you want to do everything remotely and don't watch the gear comming up you will have to risk using inferior connections between chain and anchor.
This is not personal, as I don't know you or your crew but having watchd many crews you may also consider if a lightweight female is the best person on the foredeck. In many cases I would put her on the helm and the usual macho male who hogs the cockpit on the foredeck.
Sean.