Dragging the Chain

[StuM]

> In calm conditions wouldn't the joint of the bridle and chain often be sitting on the bottom?

It's a rule of thumb rather than an ironclad essential.

Shorter bridle = greater load on bridle attachment points because of the angles involved.

Longer bridle = more likelihood of it grounding in shallow anchorages in light conditions.

You don't want the bridle on the bottom, but you also don't want high loads pulling the bows inwards. If you anticipate high anchor loadings then the bridle legs should be at least the width of the hulls. If it's a lunch hook in a shallow bay with only a few knots of wind, you can snub the bridle up so that the angle off the bows is only about 45° rather than the 60° that 1:1 will give you.