LETTERS
Send us your questions in less than 200 words by email yachtingmonthly@futurenet.com or by post Yachting Monthly, Future PLC, 161 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9AP
Chain hooks query
LETTER OH THE MONTH
The article on snubbers on anchors (YM, July 2021) was very thorough and informative and we strongly recommend their use. But we would like to take issue with the use of chain hooks.
We used the technique recommended by Steve Dashew to tie the snubber ropes – agree 3 ply 10mm is best for stretch – to the anchor by rolling hitches. This works well and during our eight-year circumnavigation we sat out several storms at anchor without any problems with two snubbers set and cleated off either side of the bow. It’s even better if the chain is connected to a ROCNA anchor.
We always felt that an anchor chain hook puts all the force onto one side of one link whereas a rolling hitch distributes the forces over a wider area of the chain. John Sanderson and Julia Billingham
Jonathan Neeves responds: The issue of attaching a snubber – or bridle – to a chain is an article in itself. Briefly, some hitches, chain hooks and soft shackles are all used with success. We don’t use soft shackles because we use 6mm chain, and threading a soft shackle through a small link – in the rain and dark –
