An anchor snubber is essential if you've got an all-chain rode. Without one, in lively conditions, the shock loads transferred to the anchor are likely to dislodge it. It won't reduce the ultimate load on the anchor, but it will greatly reduce the severity of the snatching - and if you don't have a chain-stopper to take the load off the windlass, then the snubber line will.
The snubber needs to have plenty of stretch if it's to act effectively as a shock absorber. 3-strand nylon is commonly used, but 8 strand multi-plait is even better.
The longer the snubber the more it will stretch, so the frequently-seen short versions that barely reach the surface are of little or no use, other than to stop the anchor chain grating in the bow fitting.
It's also a mistake to use a snubber that's too heavy as, for the the same load, a lighter rope will stretch more than a heavier one.
It's worth remembering that nylon isn't entirely elastic. After a while it will lose its 'stretchability' and need replacing.
Of course, if you have a rope-to-chain rode you won't need a snubber - you've already got one in the rope part of the rode.
In a real blow, particularly when anchored in shallow water, a snubber length of around 15m or so isn't excessive. You won't need to deploy all of it in more moderate conditions - 6m would suffice then - but it's good to have the full length available should you need it.
Remember that it's the stretch occurs over the full length of the snubber, not just the length between the bow and its attachment point on the chain, so there's no reason why you shouldn't attach it to a midships cleat rather than a bow cleat.
The ideal length depends on the characteristics of the boat and can only be determined by experience. For example, you don't want the boat to spring forward in the lulls between gusts such that she lays broadside to wind and starts to swing around the anchor. You may need to adjust it to find the optimum length of snubber for a certain condition.
The simple answer to that question is 'as small a diameter as you think you can get away with' as, pound for pound, a thin line will stretch more than a thicker one - but of course you don't want it to break.
As a rule of thumb...
Which should be enough data for most of us!
Ideally a single one.
Why? Well, Youngs Modulus of Elasticity tells us that stress is proportional to strain or, more simply, if you double the load, you double the stress - which is not really a mind-blowing deduction and shouldn't come as a major surprise to anyone.
So if you've got two snubber lines sharing the load, you can only expect half the stretch - which isn't ideal.
But there are situations where a bridle is essential. Take this cutter for instance...
The configuration of a catamaran makes a bridle essential...
A chain hook is the popular option, but I've recently abandoned that approach in favour of a rolling hitch, as it never falls off - provided you've tied it the right way round - and is kinder on the chain.
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