Looking for a Devil's Claw with Positive Lock

[Hiracer]

Originally Posted by colemj

There is also a product by Kong: Chain Gripper — Anchoring & Mooring —

FYI, I have had good experiences with the Chain Gripper.

[SariTimur]

We have been using the Ultra chain grabber from Lats and Atts. In shallow water we use a light line to help hold the chain in the grabber when it drags along the bottom with no load but it either cuts or unties easily even when under load and what I like about it is I can take it off when under load something that wasn't easy with the other claws.

Cheers

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by SariTimur

We have been using the Ultra chain grabber ...

Seems insanely expensive, to me.
http://best-charter.si/sidra/Practical_Sailor_UCG.pdf

[YOGAO]

Originally Posted by colemj

There is also a product by Kong: Chain Gripper — Anchoring & Mooring —

Mark

I must be conceptually challenged this morning. How does this work? To me, it looks like the chain goes in the slot and your bridle attaches to the ring - is that right? If so, wouldn't the shackle pin get bent under a heavy load? How does the pin attach - threaded or slotted?

Fair Winds,
Mike

[GordMay]

The Wichard claw (below) could be secured with mousing wire, if your configuration tends to bend the pin.
The Kong (above) looks "iffy", to me.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by YOGAO

I must be conceptually challenged this morning. How does this work? To me, it looks like the chain goes in the slot and your bridle attaches to the ring - is that right? If so, wouldn't the shackle pin get bent under a heavy load? How does the pin attach - threaded or slotted?

Fair Winds,
Mike

The pin is threaded - it is basically a shackle sized to the chain width with a ring attached. The chain inserts in the slot and the pin keeps it from falling out. It comes in different sizes for different chain. The pin won't bend any more than a regular shackle pin would.

I've never used one. It seems like a lot of fussing unscrewing the pin to get the bridle off.

Mark

[Hiracer]

Originally Posted by colemj

The pin is threaded - it is basically a shackle sized to the chain width with a ring attached. The chain inserts in the slot and the pin keeps it from falling out. It comes in different sizes for different chain. The pin won't bend any more than a regular shackle pin would.

I've never used one. It seems like a lot of fussing unscrewing the pin to get the bridle off.

Mark

Part of the reason why I use one is the ability to add nylon rode. I need to secure the chain to the boat while linking nylon rode to the bitter end of the chain. 200 or 250 feet of chain is fine in local waters but I know in Alaska I will need triple that in many situations, so I have worked out a way of adding rode without the risk losing of the entire package to the neptune gods. Thus, my need for a secure attachment, which doubles as part of a snubber system. I have the more typical open hook on the other end of my snubber line so I can go either way, depending, just by reversing my snubber three-strand line. I'm fond of options.

I should add that my anchoring system is unusual in that the chain exits the windlass underdeck via a pipe to the frontside of the bow. My windlass is in a sunken box so it's a flush arrangement. Should I need to add nylon rode, the shackles and line eyes do not fit through the pipe so I need to pull the bitter end of the chain through the pipe and work downstream of the pipe and windlass. Ergo, a secure attachment while conducting this arrangement is paramount.

[maxingout]

This is what we used all the way around the world without any problems. I never jumped out of the grove even in storms because of a lazy loop of chain holding it in the slot.



Ours was made by ABI.

You can easily fabricate one to your own size and thickness using stainless steel plate.

[YOGAO]

Originally Posted by colemj

The pin is threaded - it is basically a shackle sized to the chain width with a ring attached. The chain inserts in the slot and the pin keeps it from falling out. It comes in different sizes for different chain. The pin won't bend any more than a regular shackle pin would.

I've never used one. It seems like a lot of fussing unscrewing the pin to get the bridle off.

Mark

Ok. Between your explanation and Gord's drawing, I have it figured out. I wasn't as conceptually challenged as the designers , as the tension of the chain appears to be on the pin.

Fair Winds,
Mike

[muskoka]

Originally Posted by maxingout

This is what we used all the way around the world without any problems. I never jumped out of the grove even in storms because of a lazy loop of chain holding it in the slot.



Ours was made by ABI.

You can easily fabricate one to your own size and thickness using stainless steel plate.

We have two systems - the Wichard for 'lunch' hooks and sheltered overnights.

For longer stays, or in worse anchorages, we use the same ABI system as Maxing Out and it's very robust. We've used it for years as is, without ever losing the chain.

However, for our upcoming cruise I modified our ABI by drilling two holes in a small stainless steel bar - this is then attached across the top of the U slot by the schackles as a 'lock'. I'm not sure if it's necessary but for a few bucks it gives me peace of mind.

[Palarran]

I'd like to add to this tread and get some more input if possible. Last week I almost had an emergency due to the anchor bridle attachment. My boat was rigged with a Wichard snap shackle that goes through a link in my 12mm chain. We where anchored in Road Bay with heavy swells and between 20 and 30 kts of wind. My boat has a fairly high amount of windage and weighs over 40 tons. Basically, the pin for the snap shackle bent so when I pulled up my chain to take off the shackle it wouldn't unlock. I had to run below, grab a hammer and phillips screwdriver and drive the pin out. During this time there wasn't a bridle and the boat was bucking on the anchor. It almost tore the roller off the front.

The problem I have is that you need an attachment that keeps itself on when your dropping the anchor. Otherwise it will fall off as soon as you let go of the bridle. You have to let go of the bridle for two reasons, one is that the remote control cable isn't long enough to do both and also the bow sprit tension wires prevent it.

The working load of the snap shackle that bent is 2116 lbs, which is the same as the Wichard chain hook. I'm looking at these two options:
The 2382 SNAP HOOK
HR safety snap hooks

Or, the 2375 SNAP SHACKLE because the 2377 won't fit through the middle of a chain link.
Large bail

The snap shackle has a working load of 2822 lbs and the snap hook has a working load of 3704. The problem with the snap hook is that the attachment hole won't allow me to fit my bridle ropes through it.

Does anyone have some other thoughts on this? It seems that with the number of catamarans that a more robust attachment would have been made.

[KevinE]

The Kong Chain Gripper is the answer - 3300 lb SWL if you get model 614.12 - much better product than the Wichard IMO.
I like the fact that it puts symetrical load on the chain while the wichard is one sided so it tends to twist.

http://http://www.kong.it/pr_yach_new.htm

I have an email in to defender to see if they can get one for me.

Cheers,
Kevin

[Palarran]

Thanks Kevin. I would prefer to not have to unscrew the shackle.

[wadda]

I use a rolling hitch....the only thing that bends is the line.

[Seahunter]

Depending what you want to do with it; Lewmar makes one for taking the load off the winch Chain-stopper for yachts - DEVILS CLAW - Lewmar . I bought Sea Dog Chain Gripper Plate Stainless Chain Gripper Plate - 321850-1 - BoatersWorld.com and made my own bridle with two of these; SIMPLY BRILLIANT Blue Anchor Snubber at West Marine
For taking the load from the anchor I use; JOHNSON, C.S. "Captain Hook" Chain Snubbers at West Marine but this could come off if used when anchoring. I also have Sea Dog Captive Pin Chain Gripper Ss Cast 316 3/8 1/4 - 147512 - BoatersWorld.com as a backup.