When anchored, do you..?

[Fergus]

leave the chain on the pawl
tie the chain off on a cleat
tie the chain to a cleat with a line

 

[TigaWave]

Chain to cleat, load taken on one or two nylon ropes shackled or snap hooked to chain, at least 2m long to give some shock absorbing.

 

[Cliveshep]

I use a chain stopper hook on the chain spliced to a short length of warp with an eye splice in the other end which goes over the deck bollard. Then I give the chain some slack on the capstan so the load is on the deck bollard. Otherwise all the load is on the gypsy and the winch clutch.

 

[shmoo]

We have 25m of chain spliced onto 50m anchor plait so it depends on how much water we are in . In practice, unless space is very tight I let out all of the chain and a couple of metres of warp even in shallow water so I can cleat rope for quietness and elasticity.

 

[WF36]

chain is on the windlass, but a rope from the chain to a cleat so that the windlass doesnt take any strain.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Rope again here.... besides the obvious benefits to windlass, wouldn't put chain on a cleat as.... 1] it can get horribly stuck... 2] it marks the hell out of the cleats... 3] I don't want 'under tension' chain rolling around on my gel coated decks!

 

[oldsaltoz]

Chain is attached to a bridle with a stainless chain claw, leaving a slack loop of chain up over the roller then cleated and any remaining slack chain left on deck pulled in on the winch.

 

[LadyInBed]

Same here

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Chain hook with nylon rope and a chain stopper but no strain on the chain coming aboard.As much for quiet as for security

 

[michael_w]

Depends on the boat.

When the windlass was "Armstrong's Patent" I used to take a single turn of chain round the cleat. Always held and never jammed. If leaving her for a long time I'd secure the chain with a bit of light line cleated OXO fashion over the chain.

Now I've got a posh leccy windlass I merely tie a length of 3 strand nylon to the chain, pay out and make fast on the cleat, thus taking the load off the windlass. The rolling hitch has the advantage of not falling off the chain as you are deploying the snubber, unlike chain hooks.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

chain onto kingpost, and bargemans hitch(releases under load) wiv it, for short stop- eg lunch.
As above, with chain hook on end of rope strop also for overnight, windy anchorage etc.

 

[Refueler]

I have a vertical stainless mooring post centre bow and that takes chain no problem. It is sufficiently elevated that deck is not marked.
I also put an 'insurance rope' on it as safe measure.

As a Seaman - I am against chain claws and relying on them to hold any boat except for a quick temp. job while secure proper method is set-up. I used to do damage reports and I have to say that if I was to report on a damage caused by breaking free from anchor and a claw was used ? My report may not be nice to read.

 

[Poignard]

[ QUOTE ]
chain onto kingpost, and bargemans hitch(releases under load) wiv it, for short stop- eg lunch.
As above, with chain hook on end of rope strop also for overnight, windy anchorage etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Likewise here, except I attach the rope to the chain with a "rolling hitch "

 

[dur]

Chain in gypsy. Under load the tension comes back on the chain. Seems to work

 

[Ken_Irby]

To judge by these replies

it would appear that all of the world is good about not loading onto their windlasses. however it is usually only the righteous who would respond to such a posting. it is my experience in the med that most of your countrymen just leave the chain on the gipsy.
Kentrina

 

[Robin]

Length of nylon spliced onto a chain hook and with a rubber snubber wound into the nylon for added protection from possible snatch loads. This line goes over the 2nd bow roller onto a deck cleat and the chain is let off to form a slack loop but remains on the windlass under no load.

 

[Refueler]

I am totally amazed at how many trust a chain hook / claw.

 

[bromleybysea]

I use a chain hook and nylon rode to take the weight of the ground tackle for all the reasons others have mentioned, but again mainly because it means that those sleeping in the forepeak get some piece and quiet. But I always make the chain off securely on the (big) foredeck cleat as well. I think that is a perfectly seaman-like practice.

 

[Refueler]

I accept the reasons for using as a temp before making off in seaman-like manner. I also applaud the taking onto a rope strop to cut out the grate and grind that can keep people awake.
Chain hooks - originally were not intended for carrying full weight of a craft at anchor, despite what chandlers blurb my say. They were designed to assist with handling chain and to stop hands having to work amongst the links. They also assist to transfer chain loads while making fast..... ie You have chain on gyspy and want to make fast to a post as I have. You have choice ... hook / claw to take weight while making fast or the better way - proper seaman hitch to chain.

I'm interested in ways that claw / hook is kept in tension with the chain to prevent waves / swell from causing it to part company with the chain it's holding. IMHO it's fine in calm / slight waters ... but any real weather and bow pitching - that chain will be slacking / jerking etc. How do you keep claw / hook in place then ? In fact I would think that any fast boat making heavy wash could create a claw / hook dropping incident !

Forgive me if I'm wrong ... but I need to be convinced ...

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I agree Nigel.... I use a rolling hitch on mine.....