I have been using those Bungee Snubbers (I think that’s what they are called) to mitigate the shock on my sheet when tacking or jibing. They are easy to install and I’ve found that four of them strung along the first few feet of the sheet work wonders. But the last time I was on the boat I noticed that they are really chafing the line badly. I was going to replace the sheet soon, anyway, but now it is a much higher priority. And I’m probably going to need to replace the Bungee Snubbers with something else.
So questions:
I know that others have used those rubber mooring shock absorbers. I avoided those the first time around because of the increased hassle of installing them. But that’s minor compared to the hassle of replacing the whole sheet. Has anyone used both these and the Bungee Snubbers? And if so, which did you prefer? If I do use one of these mooring line absorbers, how many wraps should I take for best effect?
Is it possible to use some sort of chafing gear on the first few feet of the sheet and continue to use the Bungee Snubbers? I don’t know about this one, though. It would be quite a hassle replacing the chafing gear when it inevitably wears out.
Is there some other method (other than awesome seamanship - which would be someone else) that I should consider?
I am posting this directly to the Discourse group. It is my understanding that it will also be distributed to the GG email group. We’ll see how that works out…
Yeah, that’s the kind I was asking about. How many wraps do you take around it to get the best effect? Do you really feel it working if your tack or jibe goes a little hard?
These are the kind I have: BUNGY® Mooring Compensator – Sail Care They were discussed at length in a previous thread. Anyone who uses them might want to check the line for chafing.
I have 5 wraps around the snubber between the two end points. I use a 1/2 one. Probably stiffer than what you are using. In 15 knots of wind it flexes in and out about 1 inch while ride the waves. I have had 2 accidental gybes. Stretches about 4 inches. It is heavy so it will hold the line down in light wind.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
NS233
(Bob Neches, Me Gusta, Nonsuch e26U #233)
12
Brian,
I’ve used both bungee snubbers and traditional mooring snubbers and have not observed chafing problems with either.
I sail in relatively similar conditions (Marina del Rey just north of Los Angeles Airport rather than San Diego), and sail with relatively similar frequency.
I’d be interested in seeing a close-up picture of the chafed line and snubber. Could it be that either the mainsheet’s very old or that the snubbers are? If the snubber rubber (try saying that ten times quickly) has hardened, I could see how that might cause chafe.
The snubbers are less than 2 years old. If they harden that fast, then that’s a whole different problem. The sheet is probably ancient with lots of UV exposure. It’s getting fuzzy, so I guess the outer layer is breaking down even without the snubbers. I will replace it soon. The winds aren’t expected to be very strong on Saturday so I think it will be fine for our sail.
I will be at the boat tomorrow through Sunday and will try to get a photo to post.
Well I wasn’t born a master mariner and I probably will never become one with such a late start in life. In addition, this boat is so easy to sail that I usually let others take the helm off and on. They enjoy it and it gives my back a rest. My sail is about the same size as some 50+ foot boats around here and so a bit of poor timing or less than perfect attention leads to quite a bang. I’d rather not break things while I’m coming up on the learning curve. So I’ll be sticking to one or the other style of snubber.
Meanwhile, I really liked your lifelines. Where did you get the fittings you used at the gates?
As I don’t think I’ll be putting a snubber on the main sheet I have fond them useful in other places (besides on anchor or dock lines).
When running deep angled down wind or in chop that causes the wishbone to bounce a line with a snubber either through the stern or midship fairlead and cleated off can do wonders.
In higher winds just think (and trim) the main as a symmetrical spinnaker that’s poled out and the added line is just the foreguy. I find this works really well and can allow Hippō sail comfortably at 145deg or so even in wind and sea state that would prevent it.
A line to the the midship fairlead if ground on hard will actually prevent a gybe and has been the only effective preventer I’ve found on our boats as the mast is to far forward, rigging any thing to the bow isn’t very useful.
Also,I forgot the life line fitting are Colligo marine terminator 3-6mm from Vela Sailing, C.S. Johnson splice line end fittings from Defender marine, and 1/4 inch Samson Amsteal.
I did all the spicing and the install. They stretched a bit as they settled in and needed a bit of adjustment. given the wear I think it will be a 3 year lifespan for the Amsteal (I’ll reuse the hardware of course) I did them in 2022 and they are about due to be redone.
Hmmm. Only three years on the lifelines? I’m curious what is your perceived value in using Amsteel (or any other synthetic fiber) when stainless steel will last a couple of decades? It doesn’t seem like the weight savings would be that important at nearly deck level. What am I missing?
I’m not sure there is a great savings here, I agree.
I needed to replace my SS life lines that had came to me with the boat and did so with Amsteel. I had hoped it would hold up better but replacement is cheap. Just the cost of the Amsteel and an afternoon of my time. Opposed to having to order custom SS lines.
My standard of use is higher and desired wear is probably lower than most and others may get 5 or more years out of it. It’s a good product but when I redo the life line I may go with NE Ropes WR2 as I think it may hold up better. I’ll let you know when I replace them.
Those look great! I love that you can add them with out taking an end of the line free. I’ve been along side many time and wished I would have put a bungy on one line or another because the wind or sea sate has changed…
But it’s not convenient to either add a new line or rerun a working one… but pulling a few inches of slack and adding one of these could be achieved quickly in my underwear at 3am…
Technora is the chaff resistant covers you may be looking for. There are any number of manufacturers that make comparable products to fit over most any size line.
I replaced my sun damaged sheet and put some Technora (or something similar made from braided Dyneema over the first couple of feet, then put on the snubbers. Seems like it should work well. Photo below.
