First, for those you that don't sail(or boat), let me tell you what a "snubber" is. After you drop your anchor where you want to stay and it has set in the sand or what ever is on the bottom, you hook a "snubber" line to your chain. This "snubber" takes the pressure off your windlass(machine at the bow that pulls up your chain and anchor). The last thing you want to have happen is for the windlass to get ripped out of your deck should a big blow or swell come through the anchorage and create a bunch of strain on the anchor chain. The end of this "snubber" line then gets attached to a cleat on the deck so it absorbs the pull on the chain and not the windlass. Once attached to the chain, there is no stress on the windlass.

Now that that has been explained, lets get back to the purpose of this post. OK, perhaps I'm not a "snob" but I've gotten particular about my anchor and how it's attached to our boat. I love my boat and would hate to have it end up on some reef somewhere just because I failed to do diligence in anchoring and having a "GOOD" snubber installed is one of the keys to being safe. Anchors--well, that's another can of worms best left to another post as just about every cruiser out here has his "favorite" and won't have his mind changed just because I "KNOW" my anchor IS better.

When be bought Zephyr, the previous owner equipped her with numerous chain hooks to put on the anchor chain after the anchor has "set" in the bottom. I used them and for the most part for several years and they did just fine. I used galvanized as well as stainless steel. I used(normally ½ inch) three strand line that I spliced to the hook. I even used a "thimble"(chunk of metal that has a trough in it for the line to lay in)to make sure there was no chance of abrasion to the line.

Now the hook worked alright but from time to time, the chain would come off it especially if there was up and down movement at the bow--like waves smacking into it. That's the worst time for it to come undone. Once the hook was on the chain and the chain let out, I pulled about another 10 feet of chain out of the locker so that there was a loop in the chain up to the hook. While it shouldn't come off, it did from time to time so much so that I checked it regularly when we were at anchor.

There had to be a better way. I did some research and found a product from Wichard that calls itself a "Chain Grip". It hooks on the chain and then a small pin keeps the chain from coming off unless you physically pull the pin out. Neat setup and it worked great. Well it did until the chain hit the small pin and bent it just enough that you couldn't pull the pin to get the chain link off the "Grip". This product came off the bow relatively quickly as I needed a "hook" that I could get off easily in just about any condition. I had to use a pair of pliers to get the pin pulled out to the "Grip" off the chain.

I got on the internet and did some more research. There are all types of gizmos out there that claim to be the "cat's meow" in keeping hold of your chain. I bought several others but can't find any pictures of them. After a good bit of research, I found the "Mantus Chain Hook". It looked big enough to do the job. You slide it on one chain link and then it slides over the next link "locking" it on the chain. OK, I've got to have one!! Nothing to loose other than a bit of money.

I brought it back with me last July and we've used it extensively anchoring all the way from Malaysia, through Thailand and the Maldives and it has worked great! When I came back with the hook, I brought a few more things to make it work better. First, I increased my line size to ¾ inch 3 strand nylon. We weigh in at about 45,000 pounds and somehow, using just a ½ inch line was no where near big enough. Then, I added on what are called "Line Masters". These are long pieces of rubber that the snubber line goes through one end, wraps around the "Line Master" a couple of times and then comes out the other end. It's like a big rubber band on your rope. As the rope gets pulled, the rubber stretches and then come back when the pressure is less. I originally bought them to use when we were in Fiji at Vuda Point Marina in case a typhoon hit. Instead, I laced my new snubber line onto them--one on each side. Eye splices were added to the end of the line--again around metal thimbles and I had a really nice setup. A super size hook with super size line with big rubber bands allowing the line to stretch when pressure is applied. If anything, it's a bit of over kill as far as snubbers go but hey, this is our home. We'd like to keep it safe if at all possible. With one line coming off each side of the bow and joining the hook with a BIG shackle, we are set.

One thing I should mention about the "Line Masters". I bought them from Defender and the factory has a 5 year warranty on them. Yes, that's right, a warranty on a piece of marine equipment!! When we were in Pohnpei, one of them broke. I emailed the company who requested a photo of the broken one and one was shipped out immediately. Not bad!! A few days ago, a second one broke. OK, it's been four years. Again, the factory just asked for a picture and they are now shipping me another replacement!!! How's that for service? I remember when I bought them that they had the warranty and they even stood behind it. My hats off to "Falcon Safety" the manufacturer. Some one that backs their product!

Now, each time we anchor, once the chain is out and set, I lean over the bow, hook the Mantus Hook to the anchor chain and let out more with the engine in reverse. Once there is tension on the snubber lines, I then pull out another 15 or so feet and we are set. No pressure on the windlass and darn little chance of me breaking two ¾ inch lines. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Below this post or some pictures of what I've talked about. I'd love to hear from other boaters that have set up some kind of bridal system on their bows.