T&T: Anchor pin bending

[Chuck and Susan]

Ken, That pin is too large to go through the 5/16 HT link, so that is why the
SS shackle is there. You could probably tow the boat with a line attached to
that pin and not bend it. The shackle that the pin runs through is elongated
so there is really no force on the pin unless the windlass is released and the
weight of the anchor moving forward on the roller and the maybe foot of chain
will be all there could conceivably be pulling on the pin. I have released the
windlass to see how difficult it would be to release the pin under that load
and a slight pull back on the chain lets the pin easily slide out and the
anchor deploy. In most cases the pin will be pulled before the windlass
releases the chain but the pin and shackle are there to keep the anchor on
board until it needs to be deployed. Most available chain stoppers are more
difficult to release than this system. Hope that explains it. Chuck

To follow our adventures, go to

http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/

http://sea-trek.blogspot.com/

--- On Sun, 6/21/09, Bucks2 at aol.com <Bucks2 at aol.com> wrote:
 

I have an identical set up to the one pictured (_http://tinyurl.com/mau6cq_
(http://tinyurl.com/mau6cq) ) and I'm trying  to imagine where the forces
to bend the pin would come from? The pin  is either 1/2" or 3/8" stainless
steel in the  1/4" plate stainless roller assembly. The anchor chain is held
by the  pin, in the picture apparently through a shackle, in my case by
trapping a chain  link between the pin and the base of the roller assembly.

Am I to understand that the 1 foot of 5/16" chain will bend  the stainless
steel? The anchor is obviously pulled tight against the white  plastic block
underneath the pulpit and sitting on the roller on top of the  roller
assembly, so it isn't loose to create any force. It could conceivably  roll
forward/clockwise but that doesn't seem like enough force to bend the  pin.

What am I missing?

Ken Buck
 

Holding  an anchor in-place with a steel pin is dangerous as pin can bend in
bad  weather making it impossible to deploy anchor in emergency. Always use
line  that can be cut with a knife or at least free pin and replace with 
line
when bad weather is forecast. BTW, beautiful caprail  finish!

Ron Rogers