Anchor bridle?

j98052

j98052

Active Member
Jul 17, 2015
296
Anacortes, WA
Boat Info
2010 Sedan Bridge 520
Engines
Cummins QSM11
We're anchored in a small, protected bay, but last night the winds picked up to about 25 knots. The boat was swinging quite a bit, and each time we hit the end of the swing, the chain would twist and bang into the outside of the metal channel on the pulpit, making a very loud clunking noise.

I did some reading, and it looks like a bridle would potentially reduce the amount of swing, and would eliminate the noise.

Any feedback, and recommendations on a bridle?
 
Mantus makes a good one but it's pricey. You can check their website. You could also make one yourself for much less. A good reason to use one is it takes the load off the windlass, which is a good thing.
 
I just upgraded to a mostly chain rode. Haven't gotten around to anything fancy yet like a chain hook or manuts hook, but in reading you can use a 3-strand line to tie directly to the chain using a rolling hitch or kelmheist knot. I did the rolling hitch this past weekend for a raftup and it worked ok. I put the end of a short pre-spliced dock line on the anchor cleat, tied the knot, and then payed out more chain till the line was holding the boats weight and chain was limp. Need to experiment more.

Here's a video to help explain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA2AJlf0lwE
 
Last edited:
j98052 said:
We're anchored in a small, protected bay, but last night the winds picked up to about 25 knots. The boat was swinging quite a bit, and each time we hit the end of the swing, the chain would twist and bang into the outside of the metal channel on the pulpit, making a very loud clunking noise.

I did some reading, and it looks like a bridle would potentially reduce the amount of swing, and would eliminate the noise.

Any feedback, and recommendations on a bridle?
Click to expand...


I have just started looking into this for our 47 sedan. Is the purpose of the bridal to take the load off the windlass or help prevent the boat from swinging?
 
The anchor rode snubber does both: it redirects the stress from the windlass to the snubber, which in turn transfers the stress to the bow cleats. By doing so it also spreads the impact such that the boat moves with reduced roll. Lastly by using the snubber you play out more chain such that you get more chain lying either on the bottom or at the very least a smaller incline, such that your anchor holds better.
If anyone is interested, I have a brand new in the box Mantus anchor snubber that will fit a 3/8th chain. PM me if you would like to purchase it.
 
So, I have all chain and a chain stop.

b6e75307fc54803d2f670b5ec4665928.jpg


I also have a snubber to, I think use as follows...

3bb41cb0dfe669bd16ec178597b2564b.jpg

757df67aaa1948dabfbc6018e8ae65d4.jpg


No need for anything else, right?


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
There was an excellent discussion about this topic on another forum that I regularly check out. The members of that forum tend to be older than the CSR gang, many more years of boating experience and a wide variety of boats and skippers from all over the world.

Their discussion was "spirited" at times but essentially said much the same as has been written above.

One benefit that was mentioned of using a snubber was that you MAY not have to let out as much chain. Picture this: You're in a situation where you want a 7:1 scope and you're in 20' of water plus 6' from the water line to your bow roller. Without a snubber you'd lay out about 182' of rode ((20+6)*7). If you are using a snubber and the snubber is at the water line you now only need 140' of rode (20*7). That may or may not be a benefit to you, but it is worth considering.

BTW, Importmonkey, that shock absorber setup you have only reduces the stress on the windlass as long as the snubber is not stretched taut. If it goes taut, the stress is still on the windlass. Just sayin'.
 
Importmonkey....your set up is more of a shock absorber. It reduces/minimizes or even eliminates the shock when the chain goes taught. Also, in the setup you describe, the load is still on your windlass.....well that's the assumption since the picture doesn't show where the chain is attached to the boat.
 
I spend a lot of time in the Bahamas and much of that is on anchor. I use a bridal any time we spend the night, there is a storm, there are high currents, or when we leave the boat. The bridal is simply a swivel connector to connect to the anchor chain and 1/2 inch rope in two parts that are about 10 feet long each. After connecting to the chain and fed out to about the water level the two rope parts are pulled and tied off to the two bow cleats so the chain to the boat lays slack. The bridal does several important things: It lowers the chain to anchor angle to the water level. It relieves stress on the windlass. It takes all of the load off of the bow pulpit. It almost completely removes the chain noise. It provides two means (windlass is backup) to secure the boat.
Those shock absorbers really provide nothing of value; chain droop or rope elasticity are excellent shock absorbers. If one really wanted the shock absorber devices then put then on the bridal.

There are good reasons every sailboat on the ocean use anchor bridals. I believe if anyone spends any time on anchor at all, the device is an important safety feature for the boat.
 
We use a homemade brudke which consists of 5/8" three strand nylon spliced into a 15-20' long Y with a chain hook at the bottom and eye splices at the tops of the Y. The eyes go over my two bow cleats and the chain hook gets attached as the last bit of chain is let out. We the let about 10-15' more chain out, so it droops straight down from the bow roller.

Thus set up does not prevent swinging, but does give some stretch to the ground tackle and keeps it quiet all night long.
 
Thanks. I would have assumed the chain stop would engage and hold the chain while a little more is paid out from the windlass - leaving chain slacked from stop to windlass - eliminating stress on windlass. Doesn't look strong enough to hold the boat IMHO though.

I'm sure I can just make a bridal out of two lines and an old ratchet strap end, right?



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Any other opinions if this set up will reduce boat swing in the wind/current?
 
importmonkey said:
Thanks. I would have assumed the chain stop would engage and hold the chain while a little more is paid out from the windlass - leaving chain slacked from stop to windlass - eliminating stress on windlass. Doesn't look strong enough to hold the boat IMHO though.

I'm sure I can just make a bridal out of two lines and an old ratchet strap end, right?



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Single rope with a Linemans Knot in the middle to attach your connecting device.
 
Zach312 said:
Any other opinions if this set up will reduce boat swing in the wind/current?
Click to expand...
In tight quarters where we couldn't tolerate swing about the anchor I drop a second anchor either from a transom cleat or from the bow. The two anchor points are splayed apart to hold the boat at a point. If there is significant current it's best to have the second anchor from the bow so the boat can swing bow into the current. There is a chance of the anchor rodes fouling with both from the bow so plan appropriately.

And, if you don't have the App, get Drag Queen on your Ipad. It's saved my bacon a couple of times and I sleep better.....
 
That is a great app! I set the one on our GPS but I'm not sure I understand it yet, boat still new to us. I seldom worry as we're inland and don't have current, tide or major waves but sometimes we drift overnight in a storm. I'm definitely going to start using a bridle but I'll make my own.
 
Haven't tried a bridal but found running your line off to one side from the center of the bow really reduces the swing. If there is a possibility of some rough water then we clip a 4 lb lead ball near the top of our chain. I always set my anchor alarm before deploying and have never had it go off. We chase seasonal fish and don't wait for "good weather". Simple and is working good for us.
 
I made a bridal with what I have on board -- we have been in 15-20kt winds, and as the boat swings the anchor chain bangs against the rail on the pulpit, keeping me up at night.

I took a 50' line, and put 2 snubbers on it, each about 2 feet from the mid point of the line. I then attached the line to the chain using a rolling hitch. this was the hardest part, as I had to lean over the end of the pulpit to tie it, and the boat is moving in the wind. Then lowered the chain a few feet, adjusting the lines.

The snubbers aren't exactly centered, as you can see in the photo. But it's working - much quieter, and there is slack in the chain above the bridle.

Once I'm back home, I will get a hook, which should be much easier to attach to the chain. bridle.jpg
 
I picked up some supplies from Fisheries Supply yesterday and will make our bridle in the next day or two before we anchor up in Prideaux Haven. Along with our chain stopper, I'm hoping to be able to sleep while on the hook but it's pretty doubtful. I'm too nervous while on anchor!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,118
Messages
1,426,472
Members
61,034
Latest member
Lukerney
Back
Top