Anchoring Accessories

Getting the ground tackle to match

A swivel, chain hook or snubber only earns its keep if it is rated to the chain and anchor already on board, since an accessory rated below the ground tackle it is attached to becomes the weak point in the system rather than adding security. Snubbers in particular need to be long enough and elastic enough to absorb shock loads in a blow, taking the sudden strain off the windlass and chain rather than passing it straight through.

Chain hooks and shackles should be checked against the specific chain calibre rather than assumed to fit any chain of roughly the right size, since a hook that is slightly undersized can slip under load at the worst possible moment.

Fitting a swivel between chain and anchor also needs checking against the bow roller and gypsy, since not every swivel passes cleanly through both without catching.