Snubber: why and how to use one at anchor

What a snubber does

A snubber is a short length of stretchy line that takes the pull of the anchor chain off the windlass and onto a strong cleat. On a catamaran the same idea uses two lines and is called a bridle.

Five reasons to use one

• Comfort - the stretch absorbs snatching from wind and swell, so the bow stops jerking against a tight chain.
• Saves the windlass - the gypsy and its motor are not built to hold the boat's full weight; the snubber moves that load to a cleat.
• Protects the chain - less shock loading means less wear and less risk of a link or the anchor breaking out.
• Quiet nights - it stops the chain grinding and rumbling through the bow roller.
• Good seamanship - it shows you take anchoring seriously.

What you need

• A line at least 5 m long of stretchy, non-floating material (nylon). Around 8 mm suits boats up to roughly 4.5 t in normal conditions; go thicker for heavier boats.
• A way to grip the chain: a chain hook sized to your chain (charter chain is usually 8 or 10 mm), a soft shackle, or simply a rolling hitch tied straight onto a link.

How to rig it

1. Once the anchor is set, attach the line to the chain - hook clipped on, or a rolling hitch tied around a link.
2. Lead the line outside everything and make it off on a bow cleat (a bridle goes to a cleat on each hull).
3. Pay out more chain so about a metre of chain hangs slack below the snubber. The snubber now carries the load, not the windlass.
4. Check the line is not chafing at the bow roller; add chafe protection if you will stay a while.

Any snubber is better than none. If it ever fails, the chain is still on the windlass as a backup.