Anchor Chain to Sampson Post,- How do they do it?

[Stumble]

Just a quick note, I think Jim has it right that a Dyneema leash is the way to go. But don't size it to breaking strength size it to the largest size that will fit the chain hook. It will be massive overkill in terms of strength, but it would look silly to have a piece of 3/16 dyneema holding your ground tackle.

[Jim Cate]

BTW, in your description of the bow arrangements, you didn't mention a roller. You do have a roller, don't you? If not, hauling the chain by hand will be a serious threat to your back and to your toe rail.

Further, if you can't fit a windlass, consider fitting a chain stopper. Use of this device will allow you to rest between pulls or when the bow is pitching and with the stopper taking the load off your arms/back. They have a smaller footprint than a windlass and can be fitted right forward, just behind the roller. I would not consider a non-windlass setup without one myself.

Cheers,

Jim

[darylat8750]

+1 on the chain stopper. My windlass had an issue and I had to pull up the chain by hand. Pull and take a break. Pull and take a break. The breaks can be as short or long as you desire because you don't have to hold the weight of the chain while pondering the meaning of life.......

[DoubleWhisky]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Further, if you can't fit a windlass, consider fitting a chain stopper.
Cheers,

Jim

I think it is possible (in the set up described) to fit small windlass in place of the big cleat on the top of Samson post. I'm just trying to visualize it and think what should I do myself...

Cheers,

Tomasz

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by HopCar

----

Please note that I suggested that if you didn't want a windlass, you should at least get yourself an anchor wench.

I know how to spell winch in case that's what you were thinking.

But it's so difficult to find a chandlery that keeps them in stock.

[HopCar]

FSMike, I normally stock them but they are on back order now.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by HopCar

FSMike, I normally stock them but they are on back order now.

Please email when back in stock. I'd like a smallish, lightweight one. Low amperage draw a must.

[DoubleWhisky]

Originally Posted by FSMike

But it's so difficult to find a chandlery that keeps them in stock.

Sorry, what does "anchor wench" mean?
I can not google any description, definition, translation...

[Hudson Force]

If any wench wants to know, a windlass is a horizonatal winch and a capstan is a vertical winch. This holds true wether they are electric or manual. Any one on a sailboat without a winch at the bow can usually find one on their mast. A chain hook can be placed on the anchor chain, if fixed on a long line, and led to the winch on the mast to raise the anchor in a time of need. Most don't like this because of the mess with all the mud on the foredeck. I have a stainless sampson post behind my windlass, but I don't normally wrap my chain around it. I always use chain hooks and snubbers.

[HopCar]

DoubleWhisky, Here is a picture of an Anchor Wench
Anchor wench | Pin Ups | Pinterest

[Blue Crab]

DW ... that was a joke. You know what a winch is and a wench is a female, hopefully an attractive one but that's not essential if she's hauling in the anchor for ye.

[Adventurebound]

Originally Posted by HopCar

DoubleWhisky, Here is a picture of an Anchor Wench
Anchor wench | Pin Ups | Pinterest

If I had her sitting on my anchor, I could haul it up with my little finger. The sexyist thing I ever pulled up is smelly seaweed. Good thread as I am also looking at easy way to manually haul up my anchor.

[jongleur]

I had an anchor wench who brought our anchor
up with a 555 Simpson Lawrence on our last boat.

This boat, I think we'll change positions and I'll
haul the anchor up with a smallish capstan.
We'll see.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Orchidius

Dear people,

Thanks for your input once more. I was considering something like the dyneema line idea, I'll have to look at breaking loads a bit closer then .

Please though, pretty please, stop suggesting a windlass. It's hard to explain without a picture, but I'll try anyway. Envision a classic lined boat with a narrow, pointy bow (the whole thing is only 29ft to begin with). On this pointy, narrow bow there is a big samson post, a roller furler, a cutter stay, a cradle for the anchor and soon to be "box" for the chain. Finding room for a windlass is near impossible. Even if I do find room that would mean tearing up the entire forepeak interior to fit backing plates for the windlass.

I do appreciate the input, but right now it lacks in motivation to redo all that work and then some. Perhaps after a few months of anchor-hauling manually I will change my mind, and I'll most certainly think of you guys . For now however, it's not really an option.

I have seen a solution to this layout. The owner constructed a chain locker at the foot of the mast with a vertical trunk above for the hawse pipe. The windlass then, in the middle of the foredeck. The chain mass then resides central and low, a good position for a 29 footer. Use a chain grab hook (Campbell etc.) and a nylon snubber. Grab hook on the chain below the bow roller, snubber to the Sampson post by way of a fairlead chock. Unless you are day-anchoring, you probably don't want the entire chain load on your bow roller. We use a grab hook in the middle of a long snubber and cleat it to both bow cleats.

You might find useful stuff here. Marine Part Depot

[SkiprJohn]

Isn't the point of a snubber to take some of the shock load when the chain becomes taut quickly? Doesn't dyneema defeat that purpose? I think 3 strand nylon is perfect for a snubber.

Mantus has a dandy chain hook. You might want to check into that. Celestialsailor has one and we used it anchoring in Mexico and it really is a nice system. Never worried about it coming loose. We didn't have rolling seas or crashing waves though so maybe it wasn't a great test.