What should the anchor chain end be attached to on the boat?

[xavierpil]

Seems crazy to me….
Just got 419
Checked the anchor chain / rope. It looks fine and goes around the windlass but the end is laying at the bottom of the chain locker, not attached to anything
Crazier: I don’t see any anchor point.

Why am not seeing or understanding?

[MalcolmP]

Best advice, is to put a U bolt of some type. Then ties the end of the chain with a rope that can easily be cut if required. That is how I have mine set up on my SO39i. Malcolm

[rene460]

Hi Xavierpil,

I totally agree with you, it’s crazy that the anchor point is not installed by the boat builder, though lashing the end of the chain is part of fitting out and commissioning.   But judging by the number of times it is mentioned in magazines and books I have read, not at all unusual.  You definitely don’t want to be paying out a bit more chain in a blow on a Lee shore and see the bitter end disappear over the bow roller!

As Malcolm says, the end should be lashed to a securely mounted U-bolt in the anchor locker by several turns of a suitable cord.  Enough turns can be as strong as the chain, but can be cut if necessary.

I seem to remember having to install a U-bolt in my anchor locker, unfortunately have no photos, and only memory now.  I believe I was able to fix it using the bolts which anchor the bow chain plate.  It needs to be strong, in case one day you find yourself anchored by the U-bolt.

I am sure you have heard about the instruction session on anchoring where the student asked how much chain to put out in x metres of water with a severe storm coming.  The answer?  All of it.  (Hence obviously the bitter end must be already fixed)

rene460

[Mistroma]

Surprised it is just lying loose, I thought the U-bolt was pretty standard. We have one on our 42DS and a relatively short piece of line to the bitter end. I haven't checked but think it's too short to let the chain run out past the gypsy and would probably jam enough to hold briefly if run out completely. There'd be enough left to grip and wind in again or could be cut to release. I suspect it would snap fairly easily if the brake was left off for any length of time with the chain fully out.

[Spritz]

I attached it with a small rope to a ring in the chain locker.