Tying off anchor chain on deck cleat

[Deleted member 36384]

I've been abused before for asking "stupid" questions so I'll probably stop asking questions altogether.
Maybe a 40 footer is too big to be learning on but I'm not that young and I don't expect to have that many years activity left. Besides which, I preferred to spend the money while I can.
Anyway, a very appreciative thanks to all those who responded.

No such thing as a stupid question. Many offshore sailing schools use yachts from 36' and above, with 40' not that uncommon, I also don't see a lot of insistence or demanding by the schools that one starts at a dinghy level and gradually increases yacht size. So your 40' yacht is not too large. Ignore those who choose sarcasm, its all you can do as they will never go away. You will always get a range of answers which should help you. Please ask if you need in the future.

 

[Dab]

Before you start experimenting with chain hooks, nylon warps and rolling hitches (all of which are very sensible and workable solutions) you might want to have another look at just the chain and the cleat.

You will need enough room on the cleat to get a decent OXO on it to be able to rely on it. If it has then from my experience if you take the turns around it from the right direction it is unlikely to jam.

You will need some slack chain to work with, so you should secure the chain somewhere between the the cleat and the bow roller, once you have done that let out some slack from the winch. Then take the chain from the bow roller and line it up alongisde the cleat, then working with with the slack between the cleat and the winch lay on your OXO. I often find I can only do the first half of the last O, but the chain links tend to snug onto each other.

What this leaves you with is the live chain from the anchor on the bottom of your OXO. As the top turns are not under direct tension they are unlikely to work themselves into a jam.

If you end up with an OXO where the unloaded end of the chain is on the bottom with the live end on the top, the top turns are under continous tension which is more likely to work the knot into a jam.

 

[vikinglish]

One of the most important jobs of a snubber is to take the 'jerking' stress out of the system and i would personaly therefore be uncomfortable with the chain straight to cleat. Whether your snubber line uses a chain hook or rolling hitch, fact is its more comfortable and easy to get rid of. Ive made up a bridle type affair for our foredeck which I simply drop over both cleats and tie off the chain with a rolling hitch. Easy. Enjoy your forty footer and all the learning which is the reason this forum exists...at least thats what I thought.

 

[cliff]

I've been abused before for asking "stupid" questions so I'll probably stop asking questions altogether.
Maybe a 40 footer is too big to be learning on but I'm not that young and I don't expect to have that many years activity left. Besides which, I preferred to spend the money while I can.
Anyway, a very appreciative thanks to all those who responded.

No such thing as a stupid question. <snip>

+1
Though may I add - No such thing as a stupid question, only stupid answers from the anal retentive - ignore them they all had to start somewhere but now think they are something "special"

In answer to your question either a chain hook and stretchy line possibly combined with a snubber or a chain gripper as posted earlier - I have both - use the chain hook if settled weather and short stop staying on board but prefer to use the chain gripper for overnight stops or if going ashore - had the chain hook jump out once or twice when it got a bit bumpy. - use a good nylon 3 ply or octoplait with a bit of stretch to absorb shock loadings and/or fit a snubber. I also wrap the loose end of the chain round the winch - no load on it but 'tis there as a back up if the hook or gripper fails.

I see you are in Carlingford - is Peter the tarpaulin guy still in business? - used to be across the road from the pub

 

[temptress]

What is the best way to tie off anchor chain on a modern production boat with a windlass and two cleats either side? I'm concerned that the chain wrapped around the cleat may jam and become difficult to release if subject to a lot of pressure, or am I needlessly worrying?
Thanks

On Temptress (47ft) I use either a chain hook on a length of platted rope or a use roiling hitch on the chain (if I have misplaced the hook ) and make the rope fast to one of the deck cleats. I then wrap the chain around the other cleat in an OxO just in case the rope breaks. This has held fine in exposed anchorages in storm conditions over the years. My deck cleats have reinforced backing plates so I do not have to worry about their strength for anchoring.

 

[david_bagshaw]

No such thing as a stupid question. .

Just a lack of understanding

I am proud to say at work we have now got to the point where the guy who doesnt ask is laughed at, not the old way.

cleats would need a lot of reinforcing to stand the shock loads, & or damage to their finishes. Chain does not do nicely anodised or polished fittings much good, never mind the sudden loads.

 

[Red Admiral]

lighterman's hitch

I use a chain hook with nylon line on my own boat but have in the past with a large throated cleat or samson post used a lighterman/tugboat hitch. Take a turn of the chain around cleat/post, tuck a loop of the chain under its standing part and then drop loop over cleat/post. Have not known one to slip but if in doubt do the same again.

 

[catlotion]

TBH sometimes the opinions on this forum can be so dour and, down your nose like, I do find it disappointing on certain levels.

+1 You get this on all sorts of forums - a very strange phenomenon. A hint of envy perhaps? Lovely boat btw OP.

I moved from Enterprise dinghies to a Beneteau 350 last year and only had one snide remark in the boat yard ('You've not owned anything bigger than an Enterprise before?!'). Everyone else was very supportive and gave great advice without prejudice. Besides, we find the Beneteau a 100 times easier to sail than an Enterprise! (we are in the nice sheltered world of Windermere though...)