Bridles and Mooring

[thinwater]

Coming from a lighter cat, and not being able to de-code the prior owner's method (I think he anchored from 1 bow), I can describe what I have tried on the Altair; please tell me where I am wrong, if I am wrong. This is very similar to the method I used with my other cat many many times and in some powerful storms.

I rig a bridle bow-to-bow using the cleats. At the apex of the bridle, about 10 feet in front of the boat I have a chain hook (for the main rode) and a loop (for the secondary rode, if using 2 anchors). If hanging to the main anchor (25# Delta) only, the chain hook holds the load through the bridle. No load is on the windlass.

I often use 2 anchors, because I like to sleep and I distrust any anchor's ability to resest - or rather I chose not to play the odds, be they 100 to 1. I set a 13# Danforth (or larger Fortress) at the stern with about 50' of line ( or more if needed to have enough slack - I don't want it tight, rather I want to swing 50' to the side), bring the line forward, set the anchor, and clip it to the loop on the bridle.

Why 2 anchors? Here's the story, and let the man without a stupid story throw the first stone. I was on a river-side beach 30 years ago with a girlfriend, paying more attention to her than my boat, which I had anchored off the beach, from one bow, with the main still up. It started to veer, and after about 4 laps took off on a reach at a good pace. I was certain my Saterday had just turned painful. About 200 yards later the hook caught, stopping the boat as though it had stuck a wall. I practically ran on top of the water to the boat, vowing that I would NEVER again be so casual.

[thinwater]

http://www.sailorsams.com/mall/chain-grabber.asp

I thought this might be of interest to the group. I think I am going to make my own, just a bit different, but the idea seems made-to-order for cats.

[amytom]

Nice. Could you somehow add a spring clip to the top of the slot so it would stay put when slack? I've had the hook come loose while the rode was slack all night; didn't even know about it until I pulled anchor the next morning.

Where did you find this?

[Page 83]

Try one of these:
Wichard Chain Grip Hook http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=1037211
Kong chain gripper http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=577414

[Bob]

I use the setup in the photo and what I do to prevent it from falling off on a slack rode is to pass the stbd. snubber under the chain so that when I let slack on the chain there is a small loop of chain. BTW my windlas is to stbd.

[thinwater]

Try one of these:
Wichard Chain Grip Hook http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=1037211
Kong chain gripper http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=577414

I saw those. Sandy, or anyone else, have you used either of the above?

[ThomKat]

Used the Wichard style(i.e.,made by someone else) for many years in my "pre-Cat" days. Forgot to get it off the boat before I sold it is the only reason I don't use it now. (Yeah, yeah... I know, I could buy another one) They work fine. Secret to keeping it engaged is to not let it even touch the bottom. That's a bit more difficult in shallow water, just requires snubbing up on the bridle a bit.

Normally, on ThomKat, I use a light stainless carabiner to clip my bridle to my chain (5/16" G4). However, when heavier weather is possible, I will use my heavy bridle (1/2" 3-strand nylon) which has a 4' pendant at the apex and I use a rolling hitch to tie it to the chain.

Have fun!!

[MagicDragon]

Have just begun thinking again about being on the water - ice on the Lake Erie is melted and gone. Was looking for info on redoing the anchor bridle inherited from PO - knew I'd seen a picture here but had a hard time finding it again (one word was mis-spelled in the original posting.

Thought others might benefit from the other thread - look up Mooring Bridal - there's even a picture!

[thinwater]

I wanted the feature of a latch and a point to attach a 2nd rode. My calculations show that this should have a safe working load of 3500# loaded at any angle with 4x safety factor, and I tested it to 2500# hooked to one side only (I use to make rock climbing gear and still have our torture set-up).

About 3"x4", 3/8 steel plate, galvanized and painted so that I can find it on a white tramp in failing light. I don't mind the weight even when using fiber rode; the weight serves as a small kelet, taking the bridle down when the load comes off and preventing keel wraps.

The 5/16" SS shackle is fixed and is the hinge for the latch. The other fittings were what I had in my workroom and are not what I would use on the boat... though they could be. The other holes are 5/8" to allow flexability.

Your thoughts?

[Bob]

Now that is a neat bridle solution! I'm putting one of these on my to do list.

[thinwater]

second rode at the same time: if the anchors become opposed the chain will rip through the gate. The second hole is for a fiber rode attachment. The photo suggests that is at the same time.

The second reason to have a single rode - not counting a real storm - is to prevent tangles when the boat spins with the tide.