Anchor chain type, why not G4?

[a64pilot]

I think a half drum of 5/16" is 275' a full drum 550'?

[savoir]

The most common cause of rusty chain is an anchor locker that is allowed to stay wet for extended periods. The first thing to do is decrapify the locker so that there is nothing in there but chain and rode.

The next thing is to ensure that wet chain can properly drain. This usually involves holes in the platform on which the chain rests. Another handy remedy is to fit the floor of the locker with some form of plastic drainage mat material. There are many brands that are usually made for industrial flooring. The basic idea is to put a layer of air between the chain and the locker floor.

The final remedy is to separate the chain from the rode. Way too many lockers have a pile of chain sitting on top of a pile of permanently wet rode. Over time this will both rot the rode and rust the chain. Some for of locker divider solves this problem.

[Celestialsailor]

Premature rusting of chain is a break down in the function of the galvanizing...not the steel of the chain.
Two advantages of BBB chain are 1) the links are shorter allowing more links on the gypsy during haul up, so there is a lesser chance of the chain skipping and 2) BBB is heavier by the foot because it has more links per foot allowing more weight on the floor helping the holding power. The fact that there are more links is why it is more expensive.
I've used both and prefer BBB.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Premature rusting of chain is a break down in the function of the galvanizing...not the steel of the chain.
Two advantages of BBB chain are 1) the links are shorter allowing more links on the gypsy during haul up, so there is a lesser chance of the chain skipping and 2) BBB is heavier by the foot because it has more links per foot allowing more weight on the floor helping the holding power. The fact that there are more links is why it is more expensive.
I've used both and prefer BBB.

Agree on the issue with galvanizing. It's not the chain, it's how well the galvanizing was applied to it.

Regarding the BBB vs G4, my windlass will take 3/8 BBB or 5/16 G4. Both have almost identical number of links/foot but the G4 is less expensive. Supposedly higher grade of steel but less money. All I can figure is it's cheaper per foot because there's less metal in the chain per foot.

For the OP, 3/8 BBB and 3/8 G4 do NOT have the same size links and number of links per foot so I seriously doubt your gypsy will reliably use either.

Before buying, get a 2' sample of each and try it.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

BBB is heavier by the foot because it has more links per foot allowing more weight on the floor helping the holding power. The fact that there are more links is why it is more expensive.
I've used both and prefer BBB.

Chain that is heavier for the same or lower strength is a drawback rather than advantage.

Any weight savings can usefully be put into a longer rode and/or a heavier anchor and/or reduced bow weight depending on the requirments.

[model 10]

[QUOTE=skipmac;2390766]Agree on the issue with galvanizing. It's not the chain, it's how well the galvanizing was applied to it.

When I commented on G4 rust I was talking about long after the G has worn off and the way G4 corrodes. It looks like exfolating or intergranular. It makes a real mess on the deck. I don't think bbb steel does this.

[a64pilot]

I would be shocked to see if there is any difference in the steel in BBB and G40 chain, I'm pretty sure they are just mild carbon steel. The difference is the heat treat.
Both are weak, not high strength steels, there is for example G70, 80, 100 and even 120 that I know of and likely even stronger chain

[model 10]

[QUOTE=a64pilot;2390813]I would be shocked to see if there is any difference in the steel in BBB and G40 chain, I'm pretty sure they are just mild carbon steel. The difference is the heat treat.


Be shocked. Different alloy all together. Check out a Cruising World article on chain.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Chain that is heavier for the same or lower strength is a drawback rather than advantage.

Any weight savings can usefully be put into a longer rode and/or a heavier anchor and/or reduced bow weight depending on the requirments.

Looking at it from a different point of view. My HR has full ends and I use 200ft. of 3/8 BBB which totals 320lbs. 3/8 G4 would weigh 306lbs. While the G4 would be stronger, 3/8 BBB is over rated for my HR 35 and wraps better around my windlass having shorter links. 5/16 G4 is stronger but does not lay as well on the bottom as 3/8 BBB does.

[Celestialsailor]

[QUOTE=Guy;2390798]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Agree on the issue with galvanizing. It's not the chain, it's how well the galvanizing was applied to it.

When I commented on G4 rust I was talking about long after the G has worn off and the way G4 corrodes. It looks like exfolating or intergranular. It makes a real mess on the deck. I don't think bbb steel does this.

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I would be shocked to see if there is any difference in the steel in BBB and G40 chain, I'm pretty sure they are just mild carbon steel. The difference is the heat treat.
Both are weak, not high strength steels, there is for example G70, 80, 100 and even 120 that I know of and likely even stronger chain

Being a former Toolmaker and heat treating for years, I can attest that heat treated metal is very susceptible to rust.

[evm1024]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I would be shocked to see if there is any difference in the steel in BBB and G40 chain, I'm pretty sure they are just mild carbon steel. The difference is the heat treat.
Both are weak, not high strength steels, there is for example G70, 80, 100 and even 120 that I know of and likely even stronger chain

Something I wrote a while ago. Should be true now.

BBB (also G30) chain is made of ASTM A1008 type steel while G43 is made from ASTM A1022 type steel and G70 from 1022 (the same as in G43) steel that has been heat treated for increased strength.

[Siberian Sea]

On my 40ft boat I use 3/8 G 40. Make sure that you don't buy the cheap China chain. The galvanized surface will not last. People also tend to spend money on chain and anchors yet buy a cheap hardware store shackel to put it together. Remember the shackel is a weak point so buy one rated for what loades your ground tackle might encounter.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by evm1024

Something I wrote a while ago. Should be true now.

BBB (also G30) chain is made of ASTM A1008 type steel while G43 is made from ASTM A1022 type steel and G70 from 1022 (the same as in G43) steel that has been heat treated for increased strength.

Heat treating does not make steel stronger...it makes it harder and abrasion resistant. Strength is achieved by adding alloy to the steel when it is initially formulated.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Siberian Sea

On my 40ft boat I use 3/8 G 40. Make sure that you don't buy the cheap China chain. The galvanized surface will not last. People also tend to spend money on chain and anchors yet buy a cheap hardware store shackel to put it together. Remember the shackel is a weak point so buy one rated for what loades your ground tackle might encounter.

...and I have seen broken welds on their links after a short time of casual use.

[evm1024]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Heat treating does not make steel stronger...it makes it harder and abrasion resistant. Strength is achieved by adding alloy to the steel when it is initially formulated.

I'm not especially pedantic with my use of the word "strength" in the statement of mine that you quoted. Strength as used there refers to the tensile strength of the wire used to make up the chain.

Strength, hardness and toughness are covered in wikipedia for those who are interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardness

I think that we can agree that tensile strength and ultimate strength are properties of steels. Simple inspection of the spec sheets for plain and heat treated 1022 steels shows that the tensile strength is increased by heat treading.... As well as other physical properties of the steel.

Morgans cloud had this to say:

https://www.morganscloud.com/2011/05...-anchor-chain/