Anchor Bridles

[True Story]

I could use some input from some of the saltier dogs in our group. I'd like to come up with a method to moderate the amount whipping around our boat does at anchor when the wind starts blowing without having to throw out a stern anchor.

I first thought about the addition of a steadying or riding sail, but without a mast this doesen't appear feasible. Then I started thinking about an anchor bridle. I've seen them used with a chain rode utilizing a chain grabber.

My question is.............. does anyone know of a method or device to attach the bridle to a rope rode without tieing a loop in the rode? We have an electric windlass and I don't want to have to spend an excessive amount of time hanging over the bow untieing a knot. A closed cam arrangement like some of the anchor pullers doesn't appear to be an option either.

So, I'm stumped and would apprecitate some help please.

Thanks, Tim

[Dreamer]

Tim, I can't answer your question about attaching a snubber to the rode. But, Do you think it will solve the original problem? I'm not seeing it as a fix. Fill me in on your reasoning.

[Sawdust]

Tim,

Agree that a bridle-snubber won't help. I use one when I'm anchoring to all chain to take the "jerk" (other than the skipper) away. Many times there is not enough catenary in all-chain rode to be comfortable. BTDT. Without using a stern anchor I've found that a second anchor dropped off the bow at "short stay" will steady things down a lot. Some times in AK I'll put out two anchors - drop one and motor over and drop the other - end up with an anchor off each bow. Here again, if the current shifts, get busy!! Introduces another problem of course - if the boat swings around from current shift, you can end up with a mess to untangle.

A "drag chute" sea anchor off the stern will help some. Gotta tend that rascal, though, if the current shifts.

Dusty

[True Story]

I'm not sure I've got any reasoning to explain Dreamer. I read a post on another site last night about steadying sails and this one poster mentioned the bridle as an effective alternate. It kind of made sense, attaching the bridle to each forward cleat as opposed to the rode pivoting on the anchor roller. But, I'm no scientist nor do I have personal experience with either which apparently has provided opportunity for my ignorance to surface at Mach speed!

[Larry H]

Tim,

The problem with swinging in the wind is that the 22 cruiser has a lot of windage forward or not enough windage aft!

I have a fixed roof and roll down side curtins. At anchor I put one curtin down to slow the swing if the wind is up.

I have used a bridal on my trimaran, and it worked great, but the beam was 18 ft. I don't think a c-dory is wide enough for a bridal to work.

The knot to attach a line to an anchor line to make a bridal is called a 'rolling hitch'. No loop in the anchor line required.

If you want to try it, the bridal line could be tied to the anchor line between the cleat and roller, then ease out on both lines, cleat off the bridal line to one of the side cleat and the anchor line to the other side cleat.

The nice thing about working with line and knots is that the line is not expensive, it can be reused, and you don't have to drill any holes!

[Sea Wolf]

Here's a pretty good explanation of how the anchor bridle works along with a photo to make things clearer.

Also, in light wind conditions, the all chain rode quiets the searching down quite a bit. Never really anchored in HEAVY wind conditions with all chain, though.

Joe.

[JamesTXSD]

Here's from another former trimaran owner: with a monohull, try tying that rolling hitch to the anchor rode (almost where the anchor rode meets the water) and run the line back to an aft cleat (off the side of the boat). Adjust the tension on the line until the boat swings the least. Picture the nose of the boat off the wind a bit and the side of the boat with the line just into the wind. This has always worked with our monohull sailboats... may not completely eliminate "sailing" at anchor, but it should minimize it.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[Papillon]

http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/bridle.html


This is a corrected link for Sea Wolf's post.

[Sawdust]

Good idea, but never worked for me. Most of my experience in AK has been with an 85' Burger and usually 50-80 knots of wind plus gusts. I'd sure give it a try! If I get brave and get out in heavy wind gusts I'll try on the 22. (When Diane is NOT aboard). Ooooohhh . A stern anchor is way cool for me!

Dusty

[True Story]

This site is such a tremendous resource thanks to folks like yourself. I appreciate all of your comments. I'll give that rolling hitch a try tonight.

[thataway]

Although we have not ever had to use a bridle with our ocean crossing motorsailors, we have used a rolling hitch on a rope rode a number of times for a snubber. I would prefer this to a truckers type of hitch, because the rolling hitch can be adjusted under load, and is very easy to release under duress.

The bridle idea is to bring the line back to the amidships cleat, as noted above, This allows the boat to range in only one direction. We have put out two bow anchors on occasion, have dropped an anchor on short scope, and used a kellett for "sailing" at anchor. I am not at all fond of "Riding sails" and have seen them cause more problems than solve--especially if the wind comes up. Another possability, but never in a place where there may be seas which migh board!--is to anchor by the stern--or take the anchor off the bow, bring it to a stern quarter cleat. There is a very serious danger if the seas should come up--so be very careful!

[Dora~Jean]

Tim,

I too have thought of doing a bridal arrangement on my CD-25, it sails sometimes if the wind is right and fair amount of scope out. Haven't tried it yet, but will someday.

I also had an trimaran, 31 ft, I came up with a great bridal arrangement and easy disconnect method (for when you're in a hurry...), all the other tri's with me adopted it after watching my boat handle a tropical depression -- and there's didn't very well.

After you anchor and provide proper scope, look at where the rode is just touching the water. Pull in the rode (leaving the end still tied to your cleat) until you reach that point, then add a few feet to allow for the rolling hitch. I make the hitch by grabbing a section and twisting it 3-4 times then lay it down forward back on the rode, pull that rode up through the loop your holding which forms another loop. This is my contribution: Pass a 1"Dia x 14"L PVC tube through the loop just formed and tighten it up. Helps to roughen the PCV tube with a file beforehand (at home) so it doesn't tend to slip but not necessary. Put a fixed loop in the middle of your fixed length bridal piece with each end cleated off to both sides of your boat. Put the loop over the 14" PVC piece such that it clinches itself to it -- hard to explain without pictures, but just imagine how a loop can be looped over a tube with the rode separating the halves. Let the bridal and rode back out, it should ride approximately at water level, you can even attach a clorox bottle to the joint to warn others coming by close.

Good luck, works great, holds great. Not sure if the boat is wide enough though to truly give you the positioning effect that a multihull provides. But like another said, it's CHEAP!