Leaving the boat alone while at anchor

Made my own - About 40 feet of 1/2" double braid, a couple of chaffing sleeves, and a swivel shackle. It's lasted around 7 years and gets used a lot.
To use it gets clipped to a chain link then chain is let out until the shackle is just off the surface of the water then the bridle ends are pulled in and secured to each of the bow cleats. Takes all of three minutes to set up and deploy.
 
Duly noted. back to my question: buy one or make one? Where do you buy them?

I made my own. You can buy 100' of 3/4" nylon; cut two 30-35 foot legs; put 12" eye splice loops in them; and put as many wraps in the Y-splice as you want. I bought the Mantus Hook for the business end, which was the most expensive part of the project ($47). You can add the chaffe protection from West Marine. All in, about $100.

You can buy a pre-made from Mantus for $500+
https://www.mantusmarine.com/mantus-bridle/

I made the "legs" 30' long, with about 5-10 feet from the Y to the thimble where the Mantus Hook attaches. I have 12" eye-splices in the ends of the legs. What I like about this set up is that I have a ton of flexibility when it comes to depth. I don't have to use the eye-splices around the forward cleats, I can in essence shorten the legs. I hope I didn't muddy that explanation. Marlinspike is easy to pick up. Lots of YouTube videos. Just practice a bunch. Once you find your rhythm, it goes quickly.

Jaybeaux
 
We use a bridle almost exclusively but if chain noise is an only concern, you can use a short snubber. It deploys a little faster and is a little easier for the admiral than the bridal as it is only 7 or 8 feet long. We use it when anchoring in calm protected conditions, it won't absorb much (any) shock because of it's short length, but silences the rumble of the chain dragging over itself as the boat hovers over the chain laying on the bottom.
She can deploy it in less than a minute.
After the anchor is out, pull the pin on the chain stop and set the stop aside, reinsert the pin through the end of the snubber, attach the other end of the snubber to the chain with a simple rolling hitch. let out enough chain to allow the snubber to do the holding. My snubber is of a length that holds the chain just above the water so the snubber doesn't hang in the water. I use rolling hitches on the bridal also rather than hooks, I have never had a rolling hitch slip or let loose. I've got nothing against hooks, I just don't use them.
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If anyone decides they might want to go with a rolling hitch rather than a hook, try this with your snubber or bridal, whip the three strand about 2 1/2 or 3' from the end, unravel the 3 strands and braid them back together like a girl braids her hair, then whip or melt the 3 ends together to hold it. It creates a "softer, flatter" line that really grabs the chain.
 
I have a brand new Mantus bridle. Still in box never used. Anyone interested PM me.
 
Had mine spliced by a pro. Works like a charm.
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I put together a cheapskate Rube Goldberg setup in an unexpected pinch once using a shackle and two lines.
Attached the loop ends of both lines to a chain link with a shackle, tied the bitter ends to the bow cleats and let it out. Worked in a pinch.
 
...So my question is, when you are at anchor how comfortable do you feel leaving the boat alone while going ashore? For how long would you leave it? What do you do to prepare for that? Check anchor set Etc? I have a Siren Marine system on board that I installed this winter that has a geofence so I could set that fairly tight and it would let me know if the boat is dragging but wouldn’t it be too late?
When I am on anchor I always feel like I am watching to make sure I haven’t moved but I never do and don’t usually have a problem with setting the anchor where we boat. It is usually a muddy bottom and we have 150ft of chain so we usually have a good hard set.

Thanks for the insight

Jeremy,
What you're asking falls into the "it all depends" category, as there are usually lots of variables involved. Since you've been boating for a while, you know the basic principles of anchoring safely. Therefore, giving you advice on how to set the hook, I feel like I'll be insulting you. :)

There are tons of things to consider, but here are few tips that I think will help you:
1. Unless your boat is equipped with new generation type of anchor (Rocna, Ultra, etc.), I'd strongly recommend using close to 10:1 ratio. Most likely your boat has the stock Delta style 55Lb, which is still pretty good all-around anchor. If you have no room for 10:1 ratio, you're in a bad spot to leave your boat unattended for a long time.
2. As you may recall during the flotillas, the trickiest part in anchoring is the drastic wind shifts (180* or close to it). I would strongly advise to be on board when this happens. Focus #1 is make sure your anchor resets securely. Focus #2, every boat that was behind you, will now be in front of you. So, watching and confirming that they are secured is just as important.
3. The obvious another very important factor is when the wind drastically picks up, even if it's from the same direction. For example, if you're leaving in am and it's 5-10, but jumps to 20-25 in the afternoon, I would strongly recommend getting back on board in advance, allowing yourself time to observe how everything is reacting to the change.
4. Bridle - if you haven't used in on your 340, I strongly recommend getting one. It adds number of benefits, including increase of anchor holding. By dropping a good amount of chain creating a "big U" the connection point (the hook) will drastically increase the ratio. BTW, I've been using Mantus Hook for few years and have been very happy. The new style has the lock, mine doesn't. Over the years, it came off only few times when the wind was super light and the hook was just hanging with zero pressure, twisting all night. All in all, I'm very happy with it.
5. Geo fence, any tool you have will be an aid to you. Of course if the alarm goes off, it's probably too late. However, it'll give you a chance to be alerted of an issue and get there earlier than you would have otherwise.
6. You always have an option to expand your awareness by having on board surveillance with remote viewing capability. The technology is there, so it's up to you how much time and money you're willing to invest in it.
7. For worst case scenarios, help others to get in touch with you. I usually leave my boat card (which has basic info of the crew and my cell) clipped by the sliding door.

My recommendations above apply to any case, whether you're staying for one day or for one week. The worst thing to do is letting your guard down by thinking "I've been here for two days, all will be fine". Your worst case scenario, on day 3 or 4, wind does 180* turn, picks up 20+ kts as the tide goes up (obviously your scope decreases).

You know that I anchor all the time. I've left my boat boat on the hook all day long tons of times, but I always follow basic precautions. Granted, regardless no matter how well you did your part, there's always a chance that some yahoo will pull right next to your boat while you're out an about, and they have no clue what they're doing. At this point, it's a matter of choice to take that chance. With experience, you just learn to accept it.

I hope it helps a little.

Looking forward to see you new yacht this summer.

Cheers,
Alex.
 
Jeremy,
What you're asking falls into the "it all depends" category, as there are usually lots of variables involved. Since you've been boating for a while, you know the basic principles of anchoring safely. Therefore, giving you advice on how to set the hook, I feel like I'll be insulting you. :)

There are tons of things to consider, but here are few tips that I think will help you:
1. Unless your boat is equipped with new generation type of anchor (Rocna, Ultra, etc.), I'd strongly recommend using close to 10:1 ratio. Most likely your boat has the stock Delta style 55Lb, which is still pretty good all-around anchor. If you have no room for 10:1 ratio, you're in a bad spot to leave your boat unattended for a long time.
2. As you may recall during the flotillas, the trickiest part in anchoring is the drastic wind shifts (180* or close to it). I would strongly advise to be on board when this happens. Focus #1 is make sure your anchor resets securely. Focus #2, every boat that was behind you, will now be in front of you. So, watching and confirming that they are secured is just as important.
3. The obvious another very important factor is when the wind drastically picks up, even if it's from the same direction. For example, if you're leaving in am and it's 5-10, but jumps to 20-25 in the afternoon, I would strongly recommend getting back on board in advance, allowing yourself time to observe how everything is reacting to the change.
4. Bridle - if you haven't used in on your 340, I strongly recommend getting one. It adds number of benefits, including increase of anchor holding. By dropping a good amount of chain creating a "big U" the connection point (the hook) will drastically increase the ratio. BTW, I've been using Mantus Hook for few years and have been very happy. The new style has the lock, mine doesn't. Over the years, it came off only few times when the wind was super light and the hook was just hanging with zero pressure, twisting all night. All in all, I'm very happy with it.
5. Geo fence, any tool you have will be an aid to you. Of course if the alarm goes off, it's probably too late. However, it'll give you a chance to be alerted of an issue and get there earlier than you would have otherwise.
6. You always have an option to expand your awareness by having on board surveillance with remote viewing capability. The technology is there, so it's up to you how much time and money you're willing to invest in it.
7. For worst case scenarios, help others to get in touch with you. I usually leave my boat card (which has basic info of the crew and my cell) clipped by the sliding door.

My recommendations above apply to any case, whether you're staying for one day or for one week. The worst thing to do is letting your guard down by thinking "I've been here for two days, all will be fine". Your worst case scenario, on day 3 or 4, wind does 180* turn, picks up 20+ kts as the tide goes up (obviously your scope decreases).

You know that I anchor all the time. I've left my boat boat on the hook all day long tons of times, but I always follow basic precautions. Granted, regardless no matter how well you did your part, there's always a chance that some yahoo will pull right next to your boat while you're out an about, and they have no clue what they're doing. At this point, it's a matter of choice to take that chance. With experience, you just learn to accept it.

I hope it helps a little.

Looking forward to see you new yacht this summer.

Cheers,
Alex.

Thanks Alex. I do think I have the basics down and was looking for the other things to think about. Everyone has brought up good points and it will be things I will be Putting in my lists.
The boat still has a plow on it and I won’t be changing it as it is a brand new SS 60lb Kodiak as the anchor shank was found to bent at survey so it was replaced.
I am going to be getting a bridal and the Mantus Hook looked like a good option.
Looking forward to hopefully seeing everyone this summer.
 
Great info Alex, we hope to be anchoring more this season as well so the above info is very helpful. I like the idea of the boat card with contact info. Hope we can all meet up this summer.
 
What about your refrigerators?

My 520DB has dual volt fridges so when I am not on board they will run off the batteries. When on board we run the generator.
 
In the galley it is an Isotherm cruise 130 drink fridge and cruise 90 freezer, in cockpit Isotherm cruise 36 and in the bridge is a Domenic but I am not sure if the model.
 
Ah you threw me off I’ve never seen a boat after 420 with dual voltage fridges.
Me too! How long would you feel comfortable leaving your fridge/freezer off and stay cold without genny on? I'd think the icemaker in the starboard stern area would be the quickest to melt.

And, wouldn't all of those suck down the batteries pretty quickly?
Mike
 
My 2 fridges on my 320 keep ice frozen all day without any generator needed. (And will make ice in a tray). Granted my fridges are smaller, but I’m sure his battery banks might be larger as well.
 
The bridge refer on my 52DB is dual voltage. Galley has a Sub Zero refer and Sub Zero freezer that are only 120VAC. And, the ice maker is 120VAC. Boat is good for 8 hours without power as long as the doors remain closed.
 
We replaced the sub zeros with Summitt outdoor kitchen fridge and freezer. With the inverter we’ve gone 18 hours or more with no drop in temps and plenty of ice I’m sure we could go longer
 

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