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What size snatch block for bowsprit?

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  • July 17, 2011 8:32 PM
    Quote
    Message # 657354
    Anonymous
    After reading some suggestions for routing my anchor rode through a snatch block located at the end of the bowsprit to avoid entanglement with the bobstay, I decided to try it. But what size snatch block? I saw in West Marine today that the biggest one was a Haarken  rated for something like 6000 lbs breaking point. What kind of loads are we looking at here? And does the bowsprit then need reenforcement since the fulcrum point is now at the end of the bowsprit?

    At present, I simply run my nylon rode through the roller in the middle of my bowsprit and have my bobstay encapsulated in a piece of half inch pvc tubing to reduce noise and chafe. This has worked very well, but for some reason my anchor rode does not behave itself and will sometimes be pointed towards the stern and sometimes to the side and at other times it is perfectly in line with my boat and the anchor. I worry about the amount of load put on the bobstay when my rode is mashed up on it and pulling hard to the side. The day before yesterday we had winds of 39 mph and my boat stayed sideways (beam on?) to the wind and layed almost on it's side in the water (totally freaked me out!) with all the load being taken by the bobstay! Do all Westsails do this? Why doesn't my boat point into the wind? 
    Last modified: July 17, 2011 8:51 PM | Anonymous
  • July 18, 2011 5:05 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 657504 on 657354
    Deleted user

    Hi Eric,

    I use a length of 5/8" nylon dock line secured to the chain with a rolling hitch then led through the hawse pipe  to the sampson posts which keeps the chain away from the bobstay. The rolling hitch is attached close to the bowsprit just below the roller where you can reach the chain and when the anchor has been set, I let out some more chain so that where the rolling hitch is attached to the chain is about equidistant from the waterline to the anchor roller. this keeps the chain away from the bobstay, puts most of the load on the sampson post and the boat rides slightly off the wind.

    Clear as mud, eh?

    I keep meaning to take a picture when I'm anchored as this comes up a lot but always forget. If you are at anchor for a long time, then chafe protection for the line where it comes through the hawse would be a good idea. If the boat is riding beam on to the wind, it is likely that the anchor is not set well and is slipping on the bottom.

    Werner
  • July 18, 2011 6:53 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 657563 on 657504
    Anonymous
    Werner Hamp wrote:

    Hi Eric,

    I use a length of 5/8" nylon dock line secured to the chain with a rolling hitch then led through the hawse pipe  to the sampson posts which keeps the chain away from the bobstay. The rolling hitch is attached close to the bowsprit just below the roller where you can reach the chain and when the anchor has been set, I let out some more chain so that where the rolling hitch is attached to the chain is about equidistant from the waterline to the anchor roller. this keeps the chain away from the bobstay, puts most of the load on the sampson post and the boat rides slightly off the wind.

    Clear as mud, eh?

    I keep meaning to take a picture when I'm anchored as this comes up a lot but always forget. If you are at anchor for a long time, then chafe protection for the line where it comes through the hawse would be a good idea. If the boat is riding beam on to the wind, it is likely that the anchor is not set well and is slipping on the bottom.

    Werner

    Thanks Werner, I'm not sure I understand, but then I learn better by doing rather than reading for some reason. Yes, a picture is truly worth a thousand words :-)

    I only have 50 ft of chain and then 150 ft of nylon for my anchor rode so maybe your technique isn't for me? I had thought to simply run my nylon rode out through the rollers built into the bowsprit and then through a snatch block which is itself attached to the very end of the bowsprit. Will this work? If it would work, what size block should I use?
  • July 18, 2011 7:18 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 657574 on 657354
    Anonymous member
    Eric Olander wrote:After reading some suggestions for routing my anchor rode through a snatch block located at the end of the bowsprit to avoid entanglement with the bobstay, I decided to try it. But what size snatch block? I saw in West Marine today that the biggest one was a Haarken  rated for something like 6000 lbs breaking point. What kind of loads are we looking at here? And does the bowsprit then need reenforcement since the fulcrum point is now at the end of the bowsprit?

    At present, I simply run my nylon rode through the roller in the middle of my bowsprit and have my bobstay encapsulated in a piece of half inch pvc tubing to reduce noise and chafe. This has worked very well, but for some reason my anchor rode does not behave itself and will sometimes be pointed towards the stern and sometimes to the side and at other times it is perfectly in line with my boat and the anchor. I worry about the amount of load put on the bobstay when my rode is mashed up on it and pulling hard to the side. The day before yesterday we had winds of 39 mph and my boat stayed sideways (beam on?) to the wind and layed almost on it's side in the water (totally freaked me out!) with all the load being taken by the bobstay! Do all Westsails do this? Why doesn't my boat point into the wind? 

    You just need to pick a block that will handle the size of line you are using for the anchor rode.  Probably 5/8".  That size of snatch block is VERY expensive if you buy a new one from any of the major manufacturers.  Try finding a used one if possible.
  • July 18, 2011 3:23 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 657969 on 657354
    Deleted user

    Hi Eric,

    Maybe I can do up a sketch in the meantime or find an illustration. I have never used the block on the bowsprit method so I can't advise on that. A rolling hitch will also work on your anchor line to keep it off the bobstay. I have all line on my secondary Bruce anchor and it works in the same way when I use that anchor.

    Werner
  • July 18, 2011 3:36 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 657982 on 657354
    Deleted user

    Eric,

    Here's an illustration that may help clarify my muddled explanation. This uses a chain hook and bridle but the same principle applies. Picture this with a bowsprit and one line led through the forward hawse and then to the sampson post on one side only. The cleat in this illustration is absorbing the load and if the boat hobby-horses, the slack in the rode or chain will act as an additional shock absorber.

    Werner
  • July 18, 2011 6:05 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 658161 on 657354
    Deleted user
    Eric Olander wrote:After reading some suggestions for routing my anchor rode through a snatch block located at the end of the bowsprit to avoid entanglement with the bobstay, I decided to try it. But what size snatch block? I saw in West Marine today that the biggest one was a Haarken  rated for something like 6000 lbs breaking point. What kind of loads are we looking at here? And does the bowsprit then need reenforcement since the fulcrum point is now at the end of the bowsprit?

    At present, I simply run my nylon rode through the roller in the middle of my bowsprit and have my bobstay encapsulated in a piece of half inch pvc tubing to reduce noise and chafe. This has worked very well, but for some reason my anchor rode does not behave itself and will sometimes be pointed towards the stern and sometimes to the side and at other times it is perfectly in line with my boat and the anchor. I worry about the amount of load put on the bobstay when my rode is mashed up on it and pulling hard to the side. The day before yesterday we had winds of 39 mph and my boat stayed sideways (beam on?) to the wind and layed almost on it's side in the water (totally freaked me out!) with all the load being taken by the bobstay! Do all Westsails do this? Why doesn't my boat point into the wind? 

    We use a series 40 Garhauer block on the end of our bowsprit to run the snubber through as we have all chain. We have rode two storms of over 50 knts. We also have two other snubbers that we can back it up with, but have only used them only once.
     
    J&J "Worldwind"
  • July 19, 2011 11:27 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 658728 on 657354
    Anonymous member

    Eric,

    found this in WOA gallery:

    https://picasaweb.google.com/westsailownersassociation/WestsailGraphicsAndStoreItems#5560335408704599842

    scott
  • August 13, 2011 9:50 PM
    Quote
    Reply # 675826 on 657354
    Deleted user

    When you mention lying beam on (sideways) to the waves when at anchor, I was reminded of my own early experiences.  When we first got the boat, we lashed the tiller hard over to one side to stop it banging around... we had exactly the problem you mentioned.  Lashing the tiller dead center made a huge difference to how the boat lies.  This may be a stupid/obvious answer, but sometimes the simple things take a while to realize.

    Meaghan
  • August 14, 2011 5:51 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 675938 on 675826
    Anonymous
    Meaghan Bruce wrote:

    When you mention lying beam on (sideways) to the waves when at anchor, I was reminded of my own early experiences. When we first got the boat, we lashed the tiller hard over to one side to stop it banging around ... we had exactly the problem you mentioned. Lashing the tiller dead center made a huge difference to how the boat lies.  This may be a stupid/obvious answer, but sometimes the simple things take a while to realize.

    Meaghan

    Thanks Meaghan, my tiller is always tied to one side or the other for exactly the same reason (banging). I'm anchored in the Potomac River, so the current and tide often conflict with the wind direction and moving the tiller usually ameliorates the problem if only temporarily. During the 39 mph wind I experienced centering the tiller may have helped, but I was so busy closing hatches, looking for my razor knife to cut the ropes that secured my boom tent, and trying to not panic, that I didn't even thing about the tiller. The fiercest part of the storm only lasted for about ten minutes, but it made a lasting impression and I have since experienced a couple of winds similar in power, but of shorter duration. I get quite a thrill when they hit and can hardly wait until I can experience one in the ocean. 

    Eric
    Last modified: August 14, 2011 5:52 AM | Anonymous
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