Anchor Chain Hook Poll

[jim_thomsen]

I had a Wichard Chain Grip bend (in over 40 kts with lots of chop). For the past 5 years I have used the simple Eye Grab Hook. Easy to put on, very easy to get off fast if need be.
I also use 10/11 mm mountain climbing rope, about 10 meters long as a snubber. After trying many different sizes and types of rope and shock absorbers I think the climbing rope is the best (not my original idea, it was suggested by Evan Starzinger). Put up a flyer in a local outdoor store offering to buy a used/damaged climbing rope. Climbers will think you are crazy but will be happy with $25 for 50 meters. It needs to be a real climbing rope and not the "static" rope stores sell by the foot.

[LJH]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

From the Poll, it looks like I am the only one using a homemade grabber, except mine is properly spliced with stainless thimbles/ much heavier made and plate is a bit wider.

Originally Posted by charliehows

rusty old eye grab hook - never ever EVER falls off unless i drop the rope, then it falls off straight away, as its meant to. I think it depends how you use it - i run it through a fairlead, hook the anchor chain, pull it up to about a foot below deck level then run out an extra metre of chain inside it to allow for plenty of boat movement. I see a lot of boats with the whole thing below the waterline, wouldnt do it that way meself...

For lighter conditions I use an old grab hook, but if conditions pick up I use a setup similar to Pelagic with a homemade grabber (with thimbles).

[rebel heart]

Rolling hitch. Simple, easy, free.

I have a small (20') length of three strand with a chain hook on it to grab "under" the rolling hitch's location, so that I can untie it not under load. All the various improvements over a rolling hitch seem to be fixing a problem I've never had.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Rolling hitch. Simple, easy, free....... All the various improvements over a rolling hitch seem to be fixing a problem I've never had.

That's great but personally, I would not want to be dangling over the side in a bucking foredeck trying to untie a rolling hitch, if I got caught anchored in a lee shore scenario

[SimonV]

I use the eye grab hook, why its called an eye grab has me beat as it does not grab an eye but holds the whole link. I have used it every time I anchor. I have had it let go but that was my fault as I did not put out more chain after the hook. As long as you put a good loop after the hook there is no way it will drop off.

[sailorboy1]

I'm amazed at how many of these things there are!

The best thing so far about the thread is the begainning with all the pictures so you know what the choices are if you wish to go looking for one.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by SimonV

I use the eye grab hook, why its called an eye grab has me beat as it does not grab an eye but holds the whole link. I have used it every time I anchor. I have had it let go but that was my fault as I did not put out more chain after the hook. As long as you put a good loop after the hook there is no way it will drop off.

As was mentioned earlier in the thread, multihulls use long bridles (ours are 25' each leg) that are often lying on the bottom in shallow water anchorages. And one advantage of shallow draft is access to shallow water anchorages. We have never had any luck with eye grab hooks staying on in these conditions. The lazy loop doesn't help, and in fact increases the chance of the hook falling off when lying on the bottom.

As for the poll, we use Wichard chain hooks.

Mark

[cfarrar]

I would not want to be dangling over the side in a bucking foredeck trying to untie a rolling hitch

No worries: just bring in the rode until the hitch is on deck, where you can quickly untie it. If you need to pay out a large amount of rode just let the snubber go and attach a new one. You'll recover it later. Some people can actually loosen the hitch with a boat hook and let it slide up and down the rode to adjust it. I've not mastered this, myself.

[scajax]

ROLLING HITCH

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by SimonV

I use the eye grab hook, why its called an eye grab has me beat as it does not grab an eye but holds the whole link. I have used it every time I anchor. I have had it let go but that was my fault as I did not put out more chain after the hook. As long as you put a good loop after the hook there is no way it will drop off.

Its called and Eye Grab Hook, because it has an eye to attach your line and a grab hook to attach your chain.

[nitpik]

Large SS carabiner

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Its called and Eye Grab Hook, because it has an eye to attach your line and a grab hook to attach your chain.

O I C said the blind man.

[thinwater]

Can't fall off, can't jam, as strong as the chain, place for 2nd anchor, and takes only seconds. The lock can be left open in deep water. Multihull bridle.

(This is not the biner I use; I was just taking a picture)

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Can't fall off, can't jam, as strong as the chain, place for 2nd anchor, and takes only seconds. The lock can be left open in deep water. Multihull bridle.

(This is not the biner I use; I was just taking a picture)

Glad you posted that picture. I was looking for that one.
What are you using for a biner now? Any pictures of that?

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by cfarrar

No worries: just bring in the rode until the hitch is on deck, where you can quickly untie it. If you need to pay out a large amount of rode just let the snubber go and attach a new one. You'll recover it later. Some people can actually loosen the hitch with a boat hook and let it slide up and down the rode to adjust it. I've not mastered this, myself.

I'm with you man. No idea why this is so hard .