Anchoring

[Large Luke]

We own a Shannon 38 ketch that has a 4ft bowsprit with 2 anchors. I don't know whether to use a snubbed or a bridle on the all chain anchor rode. If I use a snubbed with the end of the bowsprit being about seven ft forward of the cleat, which is along the toe rail, therefore being outboard of the bow roller by several ft will it pull our boat too far off center. Or will it not be as dramatic as I am thinking?

[Vasco]

Shackle the snubber to the bobstay attachment point on the bow at the waterline.

[barnakiel]

Yep.

b.

[Large Luke]

I'm having trouble seeing this in my head. Are you saying to run a line from the cleat to the shackle and then to the chain?

[Vasco]

Make a snubber, at one end splice in a thimble. Shackle this end to the bobstay attachment point at the waterline. Leave the other end secured on deck. Anchor, attach the snubber (the end that was secured on deck)to the chain. Let out more chain until the snubber takes the weight. When heaving anchor, take the snubber off the chain when it comes on deck, secure end of snubber until the next time you anchor. If snubber falls off before it's on deck retrieve it with a boathook.

[Large Luke]

Got it. Thank you.

[SV Bacchus]

That gives the added benefit of the rode paying out at the waterline instead of 4 to 6 feet above the water!

[UNCIVILIZED]

Run the snubbing line from a cleat on deck, over a roller or chock at the stem, through a stout block attached to the same fitting as the bobstay (at the WL) & out to the chain. Where you attach it to the chain using a soft shackle.
This way you can adjust the length of the snubber, or how much chain you have out, without having to pull the chain in far enough so that the snubber’s connection is up on deck where you can move it’s position.

And of course, rarely does it hurt to use 2 snubbers of different lengths, with one being a bit stouter (better to absorb energy) than the other.
Thinwater’s written some excellent stuff on such things, & anchoring in general. Both on CF & on his website/blog.

BTW, you do of course realize that you can rig a bridle type snubber. Or even one which begins on deck as a bridle, but then becomes a standard, single line version, further on down it's length. Just splice in the appropriate piece of line to form the 2nd leg of the bridle.
Which does give you a tiny bit of an advantage should the bridle begin to chafe on your bobstay, since one leg will take the brunt of the chafe, & you'll spot it & swap it out before anything bad happens.

[zeehag]

i rig a bridle snubber via hawses on bow, anchor chain falls from sprit mounted bow roller. i hitch the line for snubber under water line and have a pleasant anchor experience without stressing my sprit.

[Mike OReilly]

My bow setup is different than the OPs, but I do as Zee recommends. Bridle through the bow hawses. Two stout stretch nylon lines attached via rolling hitches to make the bridle, or double-snubber.

This is easily adjustable for expected conditions and depths. It gives the added protection of having two separate snubbers should one fail. Plus, the bridle arrangement dampens any anchor swinging, making an easier ride.