firstbase
Guru
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2016
- Messages
- 1,644
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Black Eyed Susan
- Vessel Make
- Grand Banks 42' Classic
Just wanting a sturdy system for mooring lines, thinking ahead to the next hurricane/storm. Have learned about as much as I can on shackle sizes and types, thimbles, G4 vs BBB chain, working/breaking loads, etc. Planning on the following for my everyday system which would be added on to in a storm. Trying to make sure it all sounds reasonable and fits/works ok. I think it does...
5/8" 3 strand nylon dock lines, breaking strength 8,900 lbs.
4' of G4 3/8" chain, breaking strength 11,600 lbs. 4 pieces- chain around 2 cleats on concrete bulwarks for stern lines. Chain on 2 pilings off bow port/starboard that will be free to rise/fall with tides.
7/16" Cosby 209A shackles, load capacity 2.6T or 5,200 lbs.
I believe the thimbles will fit in the bow side of the shackles ok. Not sure if the chain, both ends coming from being wrapped around the cleat, will fit together on the shackle pin. Together they measure the same width as the jaw opening.
Going to use the G4 chain as I don't think 1/2" BBB will fit through the opening between the legs of the cleats. The G4 gives me more than enough strength with less thickness. The weakness in all of this is the shackles but I don't think I can get a larger size through the 3/8" chain.
Any comments/suggestions appreciated. I think I may have reached a whole new level of over thinking...
5/8" 3 strand nylon dock lines, breaking strength 8,900 lbs.
4' of G4 3/8" chain, breaking strength 11,600 lbs. 4 pieces- chain around 2 cleats on concrete bulwarks for stern lines. Chain on 2 pilings off bow port/starboard that will be free to rise/fall with tides.
7/16" Cosby 209A shackles, load capacity 2.6T or 5,200 lbs.
I believe the thimbles will fit in the bow side of the shackles ok. Not sure if the chain, both ends coming from being wrapped around the cleat, will fit together on the shackle pin. Together they measure the same width as the jaw opening.
Going to use the G4 chain as I don't think 1/2" BBB will fit through the opening between the legs of the cleats. The G4 gives me more than enough strength with less thickness. The weakness in all of this is the shackles but I don't think I can get a larger size through the 3/8" chain.
Any comments/suggestions appreciated. I think I may have reached a whole new level of over thinking...