Bridle

[Kevin]

I purchased a 302C last year and as an x-sailor, I enjoy anchoring to staying at marinas (particularly these days). At anchor, the anchor rode slaps about on the anchor roller at times leaving the roller altogether. Chafe is an obvious problem and there is also the sailing at anchor problem. I'd like to rig a bridle to relieve both of these problems. Do you have any suggestions for how and where to run the bridle.

Thanks

Kevin

 

[pleeson]

I had a chandlery make me up a bridle which I run through the line guides after looping it through the cleat on each side of the bow just as if I was tying off to a dock on each side. It terminates in a big stainless steel locking caribiner at the apex of the bridle where the two forks are whipped together to hold the caribiner in one place, and from there I clip into the mooring ball or two opposing loops taken in the anchor rode to take the strain up to the big bow cleats and off the bow roller.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Just tie two rolling hitches to the rode with the mooring lines and lead to the bow cleats.

Or you could get fancy and lead them further aft but the midship cleats aren’t as substantial

 

[Wee Venture]

Just tie two rolling hitches to the rode with the mooring lines and lead to the bow cleats.

That works quite well. ...Or you can tie one rolling hitch on a line to the rode, let it out aways, and then bring a line from the other side of the bow and tie your second rolling hitch to your first line. This gives you a full bridle. If you want a knot that is stronger and more secure that a rolling hitch, you can tie an icicle hitch (I usually have to look it up to remind myself if I haven’t tied it for awhile).

John

 

[Haifisch]

Mantus Marine has some great pre-made options. I just bought a snubber pendant that attaches to either the chain or line without the rolling hitch. Also have a anchor bridle with a chain hook that can be used alone or with the snubber pendant. They make good quality stuff, but it’s not cheap.

 

[Gin]

One of my boating pals with a 42’ Tolly just re-did his anchor rode set up, and is now using the Mantus snubber pendant. Works great, as proven when we and several other boats anchored out during an 11 day cruise. Where anchorage space was tight, his boat was big enough and his set up stout enough to permit about five of us to raft up to him. The snubber was easily deployed and retrieved. Haifisch is spot on saying that the Mantus products aren’t cheap, but they are high quality.

 

[daveme]

I have a Rocna 15 on my CW 30. The bridle is a challenge, as the Rocna hangs lower than the Bruce style standard anchor and gets in the way of the bridle. I've experimented with lengths, but everytime the bridle rubs against the very sharp flukes of the anchor. Has anyone solved this version of the bridle problem?

 

[FWTMD]

If you want a knot that is stronger and more secure that a rolling hitch, you can tie an icicle hitch (I usually have to look it up to remind myself if I haven’t tied it for awhile).

I had to look that one up. That's a new one for me. Never heard of it.

So I have not used it, either. But it looks like it would be firm only under load. Kinda like a Sheepshank. So I'd think the risk of it just coming apart when slack would have me sticking with a Rolling Hitch.

Or am I not looking at this correctly?

 

[FWTMD]

If you want a knot that is stronger and more secure that a rolling hitch, you can tie an icicle hitch (I usually have to look it up to remind myself if I haven’t tied it for awhile).

I had to look that one up. That's a new one for me. Never heard of it.

So I have not used it, either. But it looks like it would be firm only under load. Kinda like a Sheep's Bend. So I'd think the risk of it just coming apart when slack would have me sticking with a Rolling Hitch.

Or am I not looking at this correctly?

Maybe I'm not understanding your point / question. But to be clear, a bridle is only used when the anchor is deployed. And once fully dropped and set. Any sharp angles would be buried in the mud.

 

[Wee Venture]

Maybe I'm not understanding your point / question. But to be clear, a bridle is only used when the anchor is deployed. And once fully dropped and set. Any sharp angles would be buried in the mud.

I believe you were responding to daveme. And I think what he was probably talking about is using a bridle for tying to a mooring buoy. In that situation your anchor stays on the roller and as the boat shifts, the line can cross paths with the anchor fluke.

John

 

[JeffRad54]

I have a Rocna 15 on my CW 30. The bridle is a challenge, as the Rocna hangs lower than the Bruce style standard anchor and gets in the way of the bridle. I've experimented with lengths, but everytime the bridle rubs against the very sharp flukes of the anchor. Has anyone solved this version of the bridle problem?

What about splitting some hose to cover those sharp edges? Add holes and line as needed to secure in place.

 

[jlhowland]

I built my own bridle before some folks on this forum recommended dbropes.com They have some very affordable premade mooring rigs.

 

[Skippy]

I have a Rocna 15 on my CW 30. The bridle is a challenge, as the Rocna hangs lower than the Bruce style standard anchor and gets in the way of the bridle. I've experimented with lengths, but everytime the bridle rubs against the very sharp flukes of the anchor. Has anyone solved this version of the bridle problem?

Would the Mantus Anchors Bow Roller Mount lift your anchor enough to solve this?

 

[Subs]

I purchased a pre-made one from DB Ropes. I have a C-28 and the 1/2”x12’ works perfectly. They have several sizes. They have chaff guards, a shackle and are made of 3 strand nylon. I think I paid $95. The mantis ones looked nice as well, but even the small was overkill for my needs. I added a carabiner, have some Davis Linegrabbers and so far the set up works for both anchoring and as a mooring snubber.