Recommend a Bridle Chain Hook

[john_morris_uk]

Our bow roller is wide enough that the rubber snubber fits through easily enough.
Our anchor lifting process includes always taking the boathook to the bows before lifting - as often some weed to be cleared, and once every now and again anchor needs encouragement to line up into the roller (happens much less after removed the swivel).
But the other role of the boat hook is to give the snubber hook a tap if it is being uncooperative - which is usually only when windy enough that anchor chain is taut.

Ditto. Mrs M usually attends to the anchor and always takes the boathook with her. Either to remove weed (or if it’s mud I get asked to motor for a few minutes while she lets the anchor dangle in the water and gets washed) or more often to spin the anchor round so it loads into the bow roller correct way up.

Apologies to the OP to drift away from cats and anchoring.

 

[thinwater]

I think you misunderstood my post which is in relation to a Mantus Medium Bridle as pictured.
Mantus Bridle

I was not challenging whether this looks like a pain; I was asking for you to expand on your reasons. What is the pain, other than the huge shackle (which I agree). The general bulk is also a problem; perhaps it could be shorter or made of different line.

 

[Irish Rover]

Apologies to the OP to drift away from cats and anchoring.

Not a problem. I read somewhere that drift is acceptable after 20 posts so that's why I made my decision and announced it at #25. Subsequent posts have been interesting and informative whether mono or multi.

 

[thinwater]

^^ I tested a Mantus bridle for a while, and yes, it is rather bulky.

 

[Leslie frank]

You beat me to it. We’ve used one of these for years. In fact as I write this we’re anchored with the length of nylon snubber attached to it onto the chain right now. Easy to use and as soon as you release a bit more chain it doesn’t fall off. Put the load back on the chain and it usually comes off very easily. Exactly as required.

I have one too. It saved our bacon when a fault on the winslass foot switches caused the anchor to starr to be raised when we were ashore!. The hook jammed in the windlass and tripped the windlass breaker. We were very lucky.

 

[Irish Rover]

The general bulk is also a problem; perhaps it could be shorter or made of different line.

OK, so you did understand after all. The bridle I reference is a specific product made by Mantus which I think is too long and too bulky for my needs. The existing, original setup is probably close to ideal as a bridle, and I think it would be difficult to get something that is a convenient sized bridle, which is also an effective snubber. Mostly I'm happy to rely on my heavy 10mm chain, with extra metres deployed, to absorb surges.
Med mooring in ports where ferries cause huge surges - e.g. Ermoupoli on Syros - is another issue we face, and I'm inclined to rely on the chain stopper then.

 

[dunedin]

I have one too. It saved our bacon when a fault on the winslass foot switches caused the anchor to starr to be raised when we were ashore!. The hook jammed in the windlass and tripped the windlass breaker. We were very lucky.

That is one reason why I also use my secondary “lunch hook” with a closed chain shackle, that cannot fall off, for overnight or ashore. Plus switch off windlass.
You were very lucky as the open hooks will often / usually fall off as the anchor chain is winched in.
Somebody else on this forum apparently had their boat go ashore after leaving just on the windlass (a never ever)

 

[thinwater]

OK, so you did understand after all. The bridle I reference is a specific product made by Mantus which I think is too long and too bulky for my needs. The existing, original setup is probably close to ideal as a bridle, and I think it would be difficult to get something that is a convenient sized bridle, which is also an effective snubber. Mostly I'm happy to rely on my heavy 10mm chain, with extra metres deployed, to absorb surges.
Med mooring in ports where ferries cause huge surges - e.g. Ermoupoli on Syros - is another issue we face, and I'm inclined to rely on the chain stopper then.

I gave mine away because it was cumbersome.

I look at a bridle as being a consumable you re-make every so many cycles, depending on storms and days. A year or so, maybe less. Keep it simple and compact.

 

[Dockhead]

Rolling hitch always worked fine for me.

I was going to write "My favourite chain hook is a rolling hitch" but you beat me to it.