On Sun, 30 Jan 2011 23:33:00 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sun, 30 Jan 2011 21:55:22 -0600, CaveLamb
wrote:

Would a swivel shackle help prevent 3 braid hockle?

I assume you mean a swivel at the anchor? If yes, perhaps.

There are a lot of different "hockle" issues. Like most cruisers with
boats over 40 ft or so, we anchor with a chain rode and then use a
hook line to provide some shock absorption, and also to take the load
off of the windlass and anchor pulpit. For years we used a hook line
made from three strand nylon. Unfortunately three strand nylon tries
to unlay its own twist when you put a strain on it, and that in turn
twists the chain. Some of that twist goes away when you remove the
strain but not all of it, probably due to frictional forces. Over
time you end up with a hockled chain, even with a swivel at the
anchor. We've recently switched over to an 8-plait nylon braid for
the hook line. It's difficult to splice but does seem to help with
eliminating twisted chain. The 8-plait braid would also make a
superb all nylon rode if properly chafe protected because it does not
hockle up when stowed.

I always used a nylon line as a snubber to the anchor chain and I
agree that it does untwist as load is put on it. In the other hand,
the chain runs in over a bow roller with a groove in it that tends to
untwist the chain and I go forward and operate the anchor winch from
there and the chain is always twisted to some extent, even at times
when I just threw the chain over and locked the gipsy instead of
rigging the snubber.

As for swivels, I once had a swivel, not on the anchor, break and have
been a bit wary of them ever since and don't use them. Illogical,
perhaps, but it is just one thing less to worry about (if you are a
worrier :-)
Cheers,

Bruce