Doug,

One final query....

Please don't regard my enquiry as being argumentative, rather a grasping
by an inexperienced chain stopper user :-)

Wouldn't a fixed stopper be better in that... [it conceptually seems to
me]... the chain could "fall out" of the grabber [I realize it's under
tension] in that it has no restraining "lock", as do the fixed ones [in
effect] ?

I guess you use it with the "slot" up ?

Appreciatively,
Courtney



Doug Dotson wrote:

Comments below.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...

Doug,

I don't see a chain grabber in the current W.Marine catalog buy do see a
chain grabber for $20 in Hamilton Marine's.


West Marine catalog page 723 lower right corner.


The add says the shackle holes are 1/2", which apparently requires a
shackle to use.


Two shackles, one for each side to connect to a eye in the
line.


How exactly does the manufacturer intend that it be used, assuming it's
like yours ?


It is a bridle. A short line from each side of the Grabber (maybe 6-8')
goes to each bow cleat. Chain is grabbed in the slot. It distributes the
load across both bow cleats. Also helps to reduce swinging on
anchor.



Thanks,
Courtney


Doug Dotson wrote:


West Marine sells something called a Chain Grabber for $20.
We have used one for years and love it. Not sure if this is
what you are after. Ours is just galvanized.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...


I've seen chromed ones that are quite high but would prefer to buy a
sturdy plain one.

Same for Samson post, etc..

BTW, what's a devil's claw ?

Gratefully,
Courtney
--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619





--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619






--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619

On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 09:15:55 -0500, Courtney Thomas
wrote:

Wouldn't a fixed stopper be better in that... [it conceptually seems to
me]... the chain could "fall out" of the grabber [I realize it's under
tension] in that it has no restraining "lock", as do the fixed ones [in
effect] ?

==========================================

What we are talking about here is a "chain hook" not a "chain
stopper".

I have both on my trawler. THe chain stopper came as standard
equipment and is deck mounted just forward of the windlass. It is of
heavy duty bronze construction, with a pivoting pawl which flips down
and grabs a chain link. I believe it may have been made by Galley
Maid in FL but I'm not sure. Their phone number is 561-848-8696. Ask
for Jimmy, he is alledged to know everything.

The chain hooks were purchased at W-M. Mine are shackled to 3/4 inch
nylon line via an eye splice and thimble. The slot in the hook is
barely larger than a 3/8 chain link and tends to grab on fairly
snuggly. I've never had one shake loose accidently and it would be
virtually impossible unless the hook line were totally slack.

Comments below.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...
Doug,

One final query....

Please don't regard my enquiry as being argumentative, rather a grasping
by an inexperienced chain stopper user :-)

Wouldn't a fixed stopper be better in that... [it conceptually seems to
me]... the chain could "fall out" of the grabber [I realize it's under
tension] in that it has no restraining "lock", as do the fixed ones [in
effect] ?

The purpose of the grabber is to distribute the load across the
bow cleats. This reduces swinging at anchor. The chain would have to fall
up in order to exit the grabber. A good sized loop of chain is left
between the grapper and the bow, this keeps it in place.

I guess you use it with the "slot" up ?

Correct.

Appreciatively,
Courtney



Doug Dotson wrote:

Comments below.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...

Doug,

I don't see a chain grabber in the current W.Marine catalog buy do see a
chain grabber for $20 in Hamilton Marine's.


West Marine catalog page 723 lower right corner.


The add says the shackle holes are 1/2", which apparently requires a
shackle to use.


Two shackles, one for each side to connect to a eye in the
line.


How exactly does the manufacturer intend that it be used, assuming it's
like yours ?


It is a bridle. A short line from each side of the Grabber (maybe 6-8')
goes to each bow cleat. Chain is grabbed in the slot. It distributes the
load across both bow cleats. Also helps to reduce swinging on
anchor.



Thanks,
Courtney


Doug Dotson wrote:


West Marine sells something called a Chain Grabber for $20.
We have used one for years and love it. Not sure if this is
what you are after. Ours is just galvanized.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...


I've seen chromed ones that are quite high but would prefer to buy a
sturdy plain one.

Same for Samson post, etc..

BTW, what's a devil's claw ?

Gratefully,
Courtney
--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619





--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619






--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619

One more thing. The nice thing about the Grabber is that it eliminates
the noise of the chain rattling around on the bow roller all the
time as happens with a stopper. The stopped is alot easier to
use though.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...
Doug,

One final query....

Please don't regard my enquiry as being argumentative, rather a grasping
by an inexperienced chain stopper user :-)

Wouldn't a fixed stopper be better in that... [it conceptually seems to
me]... the chain could "fall out" of the grabber [I realize it's under
tension] in that it has no restraining "lock", as do the fixed ones [in
effect] ?

I guess you use it with the "slot" up ?

Appreciatively,
Courtney



Doug Dotson wrote:

Comments below.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...

Doug,

I don't see a chain grabber in the current W.Marine catalog buy do see a
chain grabber for $20 in Hamilton Marine's.


West Marine catalog page 723 lower right corner.


The add says the shackle holes are 1/2", which apparently requires a
shackle to use.


Two shackles, one for each side to connect to a eye in the
line.


How exactly does the manufacturer intend that it be used, assuming it's
like yours ?


It is a bridle. A short line from each side of the Grabber (maybe 6-8')
goes to each bow cleat. Chain is grabbed in the slot. It distributes the
load across both bow cleats. Also helps to reduce swinging on
anchor.



Thanks,
Courtney


Doug Dotson wrote:


West Marine sells something called a Chain Grabber for $20.
We have used one for years and love it. Not sure if this is
what you are after. Ours is just galvanized.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...


I've seen chromed ones that are quite high but would prefer to buy a
sturdy plain one.

Same for Samson post, etc..

BTW, what's a devil's claw ?

Gratefully,
Courtney
--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619





--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619






--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619

I bought a chain stopper from AquamarineUSA on eBay for $38. I don't yet
have it in my hands but it looks pretty substantial.


"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...
I've seen chromed ones that are quite high but would prefer to buy a
sturdy plain one.

Same for Samson post, etc..

BTW, what's a devil's claw ?

Gratefully,
Courtney
--
s/v Mutiny
Rhodes Bounty II
lying Oriental, NC
WDB5619