Best thimble for an anchor rode

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
First, you are correct in that different manufacturers' ropes have different elasticity characteristics. This is a big variable, making it difficult to compare between brands. New England and Yale, in my experience, are much, much better at engineering ropes than NovaBraid, regardless of construction.
Next, energy absorption is not the same thing as potential elasticity. It might be better to think of absorption over time here. Like a shock absorber vs. a spring. Rope material provides the springiness, buy construction can change how the load accelerates and decelerates, and at what levels. You might want to wander around Yale's site for further details.
As for the thimbles, if you must use one, consider a Newco "keeper" thimble. This is bronze, with loops that keep the thimble from getting sideways and sawing through the rope that it is supposed to protect. But again, I would urge you to abandon that double braid, and splice either single-braid or three-strand to your chain.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Ian McColgin]

People setting up their boat's anchor systems sometimes think that there is some advantage to a shackle and thimbled eye connection.

Some think that since the thimble prevents chafe - on the inside of the eye - it must be stronger and more long lasting than the thimbleless rope to chain splice. They don't seem to understand how the thimble also puts the outside of the eye in the way of getting chafed.

The other rationalization for resisting the rope/chain splice is flexability. Some think that they may want to disconnect the leader chain from the rope sometime. In point of fact, I've not talked to a single boater who ever actually disconnects and reconnects the two. All that happens is the shackle ages to the point where it cannot usefully be unscrewed anyway.

So to all doubters, think carefully and hard before you insist on a shackle and thimble connection. There are very very few instances where it actually makes sense.

G'luck

[Jerry Wegman]

Thank you, Brion and Ian, for your useful advice.

Best,

Jerry