Snubber - Knot or Hook

[BillShuman]

I prefer to use a Camel Hitch (Brion's version of the Rolling Hitch on steroids!) to attach my snubber to the chain. In storm conditions, I plan to use a snubber attached to my stem fitting at the bottom of the bobstay to avoid any chafe issues. My question is, does the above mentioned knot have the strength to be reliable in storm conditions or should I use a chain hook? I have a Bayfield 40 (23,000 lbs) with 5/16" HT chain. Thanks.

[Brian Duff]

Use a chain hook, like the wichard one with the spring catch. its a good fitting. reliable.

[Brian Duff]

Bill - since you brought this up I have been trying out the rolling hitch on my chain. I have only used it 4nights so far, and it hasn't blown more than 25kts, but it seems to work great too, and hasn't come untied yet....

I tie it as a riggers hitch, where the no-slip turns are taken OVER the load part, but I need more testing to prove this better than a hook. its certainly cheaper though !

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Knot vs hook isn't -- or shouldn't be -- about strength, but about other things like convenience and price. The hook is quicker to apply and remove, but costs lots more. The hitch is slower, and relies on the skill of the operator to choose and to tie, but is free. Hitches generally weaken a line by about 20%, so it should be fairly easy to calculate the line type and size you'll need to use if you use a hitch. Note also that if you hitch to that hook, you'll also lose about 20%, and if you tie a Bowline or other loop knot you could lose 40%.
Having said all that, I strongly urge you to abandon the stem as the snubber attachment point; run it through a block at the end of the bowsprit instead. The loads you'll impose there are a fraction of what the jib does in a good breeze, the boat will yaw and pitch much less, and the line will be easier and tidier to deploy and retrieve.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Brian Duff]

oh yeah, I hadn't noticed about the stem attachment. Indeed bogus idea. We have ours at the bowsprit end led to sampson posts.

I guess my comment about the wind strength had more to do with jerks and yanks causing the rolling hitch to slip than about strength.

oh - don't use to big a snubber line - diameter 1/2" is probably right on your boat Bill, for anchoring on the bay.

[blahman]

Diagram of the block at the cranse iron, thanks to Rod of BCC Iduna



A rolling hitch or one of its derivations seems to work fine for a lot of people. I use a simple 2:1 slipper tautline hitch (with the bitter end tucked through the bight)0, and it has never slipped. I usually use 1/2" nylon, but as per your question of storm conditions, would probably use a long length of 5/8" for its strength due to loss in knots and contact points. The hit should hold though.

~Aaron