I do recommend that passagemakers have a winch aft--either a manual or electric. It is great for many things, may be used for retrieveal of a MOB with a life sling, used to anchor, kedge anchor, use with sea anchor--and most importantly when working into a crowed quay in med mooring, you can take tension on a stern line to a dock bollard and bring the boat right in under control, with a bow hook set. (It helps to have cockpit controls--just a shifter is enough).
If you look at the issue of decreased SWL with a chain hook, I don't buy this arguement. A plate type of chain hook has equal strain on both sides of the chain--and is just like a chain stopper.
Even a single chain hook does not distort the chain. Chain hooks are used on truck load binders routinely and I have not heard of a problem there. Chains usually fail with shock loading--with a snubber and chain hook, there is no shock loading.
Bob Austin
I do recommend that passagemakers have a winch aft--either a manual or electric. It is great for many things, may be used for retrieveal of a MOB with a life sling, used to anchor, kedge anchor, use with sea anchor--and most importantly when working into a crowed quay in med mooring, you can take tension on a stern line to a dock bollard and bring the boat right in under control, with a bow hook set. (It helps to have cockpit controls--just a shifter is enough).
If you look at the issue of decreased SWL with a chain hook, I don't buy this arguement. A plate type of chain hook has equal strain on both sides of the chain--and is just like a chain stopper.
Even a single chain hook does not distort the chain. Chain hooks are used on truck load binders routinely and I have not heard of a problem there. Chains usually fail with shock loading--with a snubber and chain hook, there is no shock loading.
Bob Austin
