Snubber - Knot or Hook

[Mark Johnson]

On our 34' Searunner I use a SS "fork style" chain hook on our 1/4" HT chain for setting the anchor, (or pulling it out if it is really buried). I feel that for our smaller size chain it is important not to use the single style hook, as this puts a side load on the link that is in the hook. (Not the way the chain was designed to take a load)

In countless nights on the hook, (including cat. 1s), I have attached my Tri's 30' long bridle to the chain by using the bridle's single tail, and doing a rolling hitch on the chain or rope portion of the rode. The bridle's 3' long "tail" is 3 strand, as this seems to grip the chain better in a rolling hitch than double braid. This has worked well for us.

With our 30' bridle to the rode, and anchored often in 6' of water, a "hook" to the chain could come loose easily, from laying on the bottom in slack wind.