Bronze Thimbles with Keepers

[John Jamieson]

Hi Ian,
I researched some archives on bronze thimbles on the Spar Talk archives and came across this from Brion, posted in 2005:
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"...the only boats that I've seen happy with nylon anchor thimbles are boats that don't anchor much, and/or under much load. But even stainless thimbles can be a problem, as they can get sideways in the eye (nylon rodes stretch, right?), and eat their way through the line that they were meant to preserve. Therefore, since you're not going to do a rope/chain splice, consider either a bronze ''keeper" thimble, with built-in straps to keep the thimble from rotating, or splicing directly to a shackle with a Crown Splice. I'd prefer the latter in most instances.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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I've captained many a boat with galvanized thimbles in the rodes: corroded, poorly cared for and chafing the line at the throat. You're absolutely correct about poor splicing being the main problem. Anyway, a friend with a 36' Cape Dory is asking about ground tackle and I told her about Brion's recommendation for thimbles. Source of supply is another matter. So far, I've directed her to contact the folks at Port Townsend Foundry for advice.

Best - J.