Chock

When I got Journeyman both bow chocks were original equipment and a little small for my taste. I have mentioned before that my mooring is exposed (a five mile fetch to the west) and I pay close attention to the mooring tackle. If a bow chock tore out the pennant would likely quickly chafe through on the headstay. So I bought a new, nicely polished bronze chock, slightly oversize I suppose. A high polish is more than a matter of aesthetics: if the casting is burred or rough, chafe will increase.

The chock was an improvement but after a season it it shifted a bit under load, a bad sign.

When I rebedded the deck hardware two years ago I replaced the 1/4 inch (6 mm) bolts with 5/16 inch (7 mm) bolts, which seemed better matched to the forces and to the size of the chock. The bolts are backed by good size washers, and I think I used lock washers too. Everything is silicon bronze, so electrolysis will not be an issue. I am very happy with the installation, which is tight and movement-free after two full seasons.

I use this chock for the mooring pennant and for anchoring. The opposite chock seems ok for dock lines, so I will leave it for now.