Chain Grab Hook for 3/8 BBB?

[Chotu]

I'm wondering what common, inexpensive galvanized chain grab hook everyone is using with 3/8 BBB chain?

No idea what I used to use decades ago last time I owned 3/8BBB chain, but a 3/8" hook doesn't fit.

Thanks!

[roverhi]

If it's for a snubber use rolling hitches. Tried a galvanized chain hook but it kept falling off if you didn't smile when you looked at it. Tried mousing the hook but that was a PITA. The rolling hitches worked fine 24/7/52 cruising.

[Bean Counter]

Chain grips
Depends what you mean by inexpensive - is $52 too much for something that will last longer than the chain?

[chouliha]

Originally Posted by roverhi

If it's for a snubber use rolling hitches. Tried a galvanized chain hook but it kept falling off if you didn't smile when you looked at it. Tried mousing the hook but that was a PITA. The rolling hitches worked fine 24/7/52 cruising.

We agree the chain hook is a PIA. We started with a rolling hitch 25 years ago but changed over to a camel hitch which we think works better. Either one is a big improvement over the hooks

Cheers

Chuck

[a64pilot]

https://www.mantusmarine.com/mantus-chain-hook-landing/

I have both, both work well, but I prefer the new SS one.

[billknny]

The only reason some people CAN use a chain hook is that they use a snubber that is WAY too short. To properly absorb the shock loads in strong weather, a snubber needs to be long--40 feet--not these little 6 foot toys so many think of as "snubbers".

If you use a proper length snubber then at least some of the time the chain hook will touch the bottom. As soon as it does, it will fall off. Every time.

We have used a rolling hitch to tie the 3/4" snubber to our 3/8" HT chain. It always holds, even in 55 knots of wind, and we are at anchor 300+ days a year. Nothing more complicated needed.

If tying a knot is too complicated, the best hook is the new Mantus chain hook. It has a latch that prevents it falling off. The old style Mantus hook is fine, but is bulky and has a problem fitting cleanly through many bow rollers.

[apirate]

We use the new mantus chain hook. It’s an excellent bit of kit.

[a64pilot]

I only use one line for shock absorption unless a storm, then I will use a bridle.
To keep a long line, which you want because you want stretchy, and that takes a long line and to keep it out of the water, I connect it to my midship cleat and run it around my capstan and over the bow roller.
If you wanted it really, really long I suppose you could connect it to the stern cleat.
I was using a 9/16” line on a 40’ boat, but it chafed pretty quickly, but worked really well.
I’m now using a dockline, 5/8” three strand that seems to also work well.

[thinwater]

Some folks like Dyneema soft shackles. Stronger than a rolling hitch (they can slip at high load and weaken the line, whereas SS are stronger than the chain). I've used all the methods, and soft shackles are probably my favorite.

[Chotu]

This is some really good information. Thank you.

Ask about a chain grab hook, find a new way to do it using a rolling hitch.

I use pretty beefy lines for my snubbers. 3/4". Certainly that can only go outside 3/8 BBB links. And it can barely tie up tight around 3/8 BBB. No issues with that using one of the hitch methods?

Standard hooks from the hardware store worked well for me because there was always a big lazy loop of chain I let out so the hook had a lot of gravity load on it even when there was no load on the chain.

I like the idea of the hitch since you don't need to go find more hardware. I'll give it a shot and see if I can get it to work.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Some folks like Dyneema soft shackles. Stronger than a rolling hitch (they can slip at high load and weaken the line, whereas SS are stronger than the chain). I've used all the methods, and soft shackles are probably my favorite.

A dyneema soft shackle is all we use. They last for years of daily anchoring, are simple to put on and off, and are easy and very cheap to make. I make mine long enough to easily hold the coiled snubber line when not in use.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Chotu

...I use pretty beefy lines for my snubbers. 3/4". Certainly that can only go outside 3/8 BBB links. And it can barely tie up tight around 3/8 BBB. No issues with that using one of the hitch methods?

My snubbers are at least 3/4” — might be 1” (I’m away from the boat). I use them on 3/8” chain. No problem tying a rolling hitch. I tend to use at least three or four wraps to avoid the slippage, which I have seen with fewer wraps.

I tried four or five different chain hooks before going to hitches. All of them either fell off at times, or were clunky, or were too damn hard to remove once on. Hitches are simpler and easy.

That said, I like the soft shackle idea. I may give that a try with the next iteration of my snubbers.

[Simi 60]

I like these as they support the whole link in a gentle caress
https://victory-products.com/products/ch2303

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

I like these as they support the whole link in a gentle caress
https://victory-products.com/products/ch2303

Funny… this was the last version I tried before giving up on chain hooks and going to rolling hitches. I did like the way it supported the chain, and it is pretty easy to use, but I still found it fell off sometimes. And the way my roller worked made it awkward to attach (I had to lean over the pulpit).

I actually still use it, but as my chain stop. I have it attached to a hard point forward of my windlass so it takes the load. It’s super-easy to snap it on and off when anchoring.

[Cheechako]

Never used anything but a quality galvanized chain hook and had no issues. My snubber hook was 6-12 feet out from the boat. You have to leave slack between the hook and the boat. I can't remember the sizing issue, Crosby® A-1328 Eye Grab Hook G100 3/8", forged, alloy steel