* Milton Waddams wrote, On 2/23/2007 12:01 PM:
What is the best way to tie off the anchor chain in the chain locker?
Should it just be left free? I am reluctant to run a large bolt
throught the last link because I don't want it ripping through the
deck. It would be nice to have something easy to disengage rather than
something real permanent. Any suggestions? As always, thanks.

Of course the bitter end should be attached to the boat. Can you
imagine how stupid you would feel if the chain got free and ran out to
the bottom?

However, ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the
boat. It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to
hold the boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.

"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
* Milton Waddams wrote, On 2/23/2007 12:01 PM:
What is the best way to tie off the anchor chain in the chain locker?
Should it just be left free? I am reluctant to run a large bolt
throught the last link because I don't want it ripping through the
deck. It would be nice to have something easy to disengage rather than
something real permanent. Any suggestions? As always, thanks.

Of course the bitter end should be attached to the boat. Can you imagine
how stupid you would feel if the chain got free and ran out to the bottom?

However, ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the boat.
It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to hold the
boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.


What about boats that have all chain rodes? Are you proposing adding line to
the end of an all chain rode?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

On Fri, 23 Feb 2007 15:24:05 -0500, Capt. JG wrote
(in article ):

"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
* Milton Waddams wrote, On 2/23/2007 12:01 PM:
What is the best way to tie off the anchor chain in the chain locker?
Should it just be left free? I am reluctant to run a large bolt
throught the last link because I don't want it ripping through the
deck. It would be nice to have something easy to disengage rather than
something real permanent. Any suggestions? As always, thanks.

Of course the bitter end should be attached to the boat. Can you imagine
how stupid you would feel if the chain got free and ran out to the bottom?

However, ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the boat.
It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to hold the
boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.


What about boats that have all chain rodes? Are you proposing adding line to
the end of an all chain rode?




Yes... That is the correct way. Just enough to get the chain past the bow.
Mine is spliced to a shackle with a thimble on both ends. One to the boat and
one about 10' from the bitter end of the chain. Might have to cut it away
some day as Jeff says. Ever try to cut chain with a knife.
--
Mundo, The Captain who is a bully and an ass

* Capt. JG wrote, On 2/23/2007 3:24 PM:
"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
* Milton Waddams wrote, On 2/23/2007 12:01 PM:
What is the best way to tie off the anchor chain in the chain locker?
Should it just be left free? I am reluctant to run a large bolt
throught the last link because I don't want it ripping through the
deck. It would be nice to have something easy to disengage rather than
something real permanent. Any suggestions? As always, thanks.
Of course the bitter end should be attached to the boat. Can you imagine
how stupid you would feel if the chain got free and ran out to the bottom?

However, ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the boat.
It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to hold the
boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.


What about boats that have all chain rodes? Are you proposing adding line to
the end of an all chain rode?

Of course. Why is that a problem? If you were concerned that you
could actually have all of the chain out in a gale and the boat was
being held by that piece of rope, then make it good nylon, which is
almost as strong as chain, for its size. This would provide some
shock absorbing when the boat snubbed up. You can even splice it onto
the chain such that it would run out a chain pipe.

However, it often would be sufficient to use smaller stuff. If the
chain locker is accessible you could use several turns of 3/8" line in
lieu of the shackle. The problem is that if you're dragging into
danger and want to jettison the ground tackle, you don't want to be
fumbling with a shackle that you went to great pains to make sure it
would never come loose!

I even keep a cheap serrated fillet knife stashed in the chain
locker, not because I expect this particular problem, but because its
a handy place to have a spare knife if I happen to be forward and need
one.

BTW, as it turns out I have mixed rodes, 50 feet of chain with 250
feet of nylon on the primary, 30 feet chain and 200 nylon on the
secondary. A third rode with chain is waiting in a locker, plus a
forth long nylon line.

"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
* Capt. JG wrote, On 2/23/2007 3:24 PM:
"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
* Milton Waddams wrote, On 2/23/2007 12:01 PM:
What is the best way to tie off the anchor chain in the chain locker?
Should it just be left free? I am reluctant to run a large bolt
throught the last link because I don't want it ripping through the
deck. It would be nice to have something easy to disengage rather than
something real permanent. Any suggestions? As always, thanks.
Of course the bitter end should be attached to the boat. Can you
imagine how stupid you would feel if the chain got free and ran out to
the bottom?

However, ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the
boat. It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to hold
the boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.


What about boats that have all chain rodes? Are you proposing adding line
to the end of an all chain rode?

Of course. Why is that a problem? If you were concerned that you could
actually have all of the chain out in a gale and the boat was being held
by that piece of rope, then make it good nylon, which is almost as strong
as chain, for its size. This would provide some shock absorbing when the
boat snubbed up. You can even splice it onto the chain such that it would
run out a chain pipe.

However, it often would be sufficient to use smaller stuff. If the chain
locker is accessible you could use several turns of 3/8" line in lieu of
the shackle. The problem is that if you're dragging into danger and want
to jettison the ground tackle, you don't want to be fumbling with a
shackle that you went to great pains to make sure it would never come
loose!

I even keep a cheap serrated fillet knife stashed in the chain locker,
not because I expect this particular problem, but because its a handy
place to have a spare knife if I happen to be forward and need one.

BTW, as it turns out I have mixed rodes, 50 feet of chain with 250 feet of
nylon on the primary, 30 feet chain and 200 nylon on the secondary. A
third rode with chain is waiting in a locker, plus a forth long nylon
line.


You should tell that to all the large charter companies... none of them do
this... at least the ones I've chartered with, although I don't see a
downside to it except the possibility of a connection failure, which could
be prevented with proper maintenance.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

* Capt. JG wrote, On 2/23/2007 4:28 PM:
....
However, ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the
boat. It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to hold
the boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.

What about boats that have all chain rodes? Are you proposing adding line
to the end of an all chain rode?

Of course. Why is that a problem? If you were concerned that you could
actually have all of the chain out in a gale and the boat was being held
by that piece of rope, then make it good nylon, which is almost as strong
as chain, for its size. This would provide some shock absorbing when the
boat snubbed up. You can even splice it onto the chain such that it would
run out a chain pipe.
....

You should tell that to all the large charter companies... none of them do
this... at least the ones I've chartered with, although I don't see a
downside to it except the possibility of a connection failure, which could
be prevented with proper maintenance.

Are you saying they don't bother to secure the rode at all? That
would seem weird, given the large number of inexperienced users. I
can believe that they decided to shackle securely, peening it to make
it impossible to remove. The charter companies have different priorities.

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
* Capt. JG wrote, On 2/23/2007 4:28 PM:
...
However, ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the
boat. It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to
hold the boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.

What about boats that have all chain rodes? Are you proposing adding
line to the end of an all chain rode?

Of course. Why is that a problem? If you were concerned that you could
actually have all of the chain out in a gale and the boat was being held
by that piece of rope, then make it good nylon, which is almost as
strong as chain, for its size. This would provide some shock absorbing
when the boat snubbed up. You can even splice it onto the chain such
that it would run out a chain pipe.
...

You should tell that to all the large charter companies... none of them
do this... at least the ones I've chartered with, although I don't see a
downside to it except the possibility of a connection failure, which
could be prevented with proper maintenance.

Are you saying they don't bother to secure the rode at all? That would
seem weird, given the large number of inexperienced users. I can believe
that they decided to shackle securely, peening it to make it impossible to
remove. The charter companies have different priorities.


They shackle the end of the rode to the boat.. Sorry if my response was
confusing.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Jeff" wrote in message
. ..
* Milton Waddams wrote, On 2/23/2007 12:01 PM:
What is the best way to tie off the anchor chain in the chain locker?
Should it just be left free? I am reluctant to run a large bolt
throught the last link because I don't want it ripping through the
deck. It would be nice to have something easy to disengage rather
than
something real permanent. Any suggestions? As always, thanks.

Of course the bitter end should be attached to the boat. Can you
imagine how stupid you would feel if the chain got free and ran out to
the bottom?

However, ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the
boat. It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to
hold the boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.


And, never listen to Jeff. He's an imbecile! So you tie the bitter end
of your all-chain rode to a length of anchor line. Then you make fast
the end of the anchor line to your boat. This is so you can cut the line
in an emergency to free your ship from the anchor/rode. Ever hear of a
chain stopper, big boy? A chain stopper
allows the bitter end of the chain to remain free of tension. If you
wish to free yourself from the anchor/rode in an emergency you're much
safer unscrewing a stainless steel shackle inside the boat. You need not
even tighten the shackle more than finger tight. That way you don't even
need tools to unfasten it.

You can stand on the bow with your knife in a seven foot storm sea and
fifty knot wind trying to cut your anchor rode. Not me man! I'll do it
from inside where it's safe.

Wilbur Hubbard

On Feb 23, 10:34 am, Jeff wrote:

What is the best way to tie off the anchor chain in the chain locker?

ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the
boat. It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to
hold the boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.


The trough bolted padeye with backing plate is correct.
A 10' tail is correct.
Seveal passes of small stuff (line) between the padeye and link of
chain is correct.
That way ya can cut it loose and let it fly when your bow is about to
be taken to the deep or put a purchas on that 10' tail if need to
monkey with it whilts under a strain.

"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 23, 10:34 am, Jeff wrote:

What is the best way to tie off the anchor chain in the chain locker?

ignore the amateurs that advise shackling the chain to the
boat. It should be attached with a length of line, strong enough to
hold the boat, accessible enough to cut with a knife if need be.


The trough bolted padeye with backing plate is correct.
A 10' tail is correct.
Seveal passes of small stuff (line) between the padeye and link of
chain is correct.
That way ya can cut it loose and let it fly when your bow is about to
be taken to the deep or put a purchas on that 10' tail if need to
monkey with it whilts under a strain.

Can't verify this story, but after a few decades of boating, I believe
anything is possible.

Some folks I know who regularly charter in the BVI reported that their
charter company--Sunsail, I believe--told them that they once received a
cell phone call from one of their customers under way. The query concerned
how they were supposed to continue anchoring, after two nights of being on
the hook. When asked what they meant, the customer responded that they'd
"used" both anchors and were plumb clean out of 'em. Should they head back
to the charter base for some more, or just stick to moorings?

Okay, sounds implausible, but after what I saw on my one trip to the BVI, I
tend to believe the story.

Max