Best place to buy Rode and Chain

[svDragonfly]

I just upgraded my anchor and now I need to replace the crust old rode and chain...

I found a few "deals" on ebay for 3/4 inch rode with 30 feet of chain. but wonder about the quality, the cost would be about half of what West Marine was charging.

I am in the SF bay area and would like to support some one local if I can as well.

Thanks

[svDragonfly]

humm I guess I should have put a question mark on the title.

[janders]

I'm sure it's of no use to you now, but about two hours ago, we scored a great deal at the Seattle Boat Show from West Marine of all places. 5/16 HT galvanized ACCO chain for $2.15/foot.

"We'll take 350 feet, please."

[svDragonfly]

nice deal, not sure i can wait telll the boat show down here.

[Meridian]

Hi, guys!
Great "seeing" you here on Cruisers Forum.
What anchor did you get??
FWIW, we used e-bay for some rode, and rode-chain combinations, with good success.
Used an outfit out of Texas, but can't remember the name. I was even able to upgrade to Acco hi-test chain, at a very good price.
No brick-n-mortar in the SF area could touch it.
Hope all's well with the fam, and with Dragonfly.

John

[Talbot]

I suspect both west marine and ebay are using chinese made chain.

If you can find them in the states go direct to a chain making company and buy knowing that the quality control and galvanising will be a lot better - and may well be cheaper.

[bmartinsen]

Try Riggingonly.com Voice line: 508 992 0434 . I got a great deal on 3/8" a few years back. You will have to call.
Good luck.

[Boomp]

Got what you described from Defender. Good price, quick delivery.

[svDragonfly]

"""
Meridian Hi, guys!
Great "seeing" you here on Cruisers Forum.
What anchor did you get??
FWIW, we used e-bay for some rode, and rode-chain combinations, with good success.
Used an outfit out of Texas, but can't remember the name. I was even able to upgrade to Acco hi-test chain, at a very good price.
No brick-n-mortar in the SF area could touch it.
Hope all's well with the fam, and with Dragonfly.

John



'"""'

lol its your 66lb anchor...

when I finally pulled the chain that came with the boat off, the bottom 100 feet was a solid mass of rust sections fell apart as we pulled it out.

[Meridian]

Glad you got the anchor! Good luck with the chain...what size, and how many feet, are you looking for?

[Meridian]

BTW, make sure that your windlass gypsy will accomodate the chain you get.

[janders]

Originally Posted by Talbot

I suspect both west marine and ebay are using chinese made chain.

Nope.

West Marine is selling ACCO chain.

Ebay on the otherhand, is like a box of chocolates. Ya never know what you're gonna get.

[svDragonfly]

John do you remember what sort of chain was with that anchor...we got 50 feet ish of chain in a blue westmarine crate any idea?

[Meridian]

That's the good stuff...should be 3/8 Acco hi-tensile. Look at a link...should be stamped "G-4".
I had ordered a roll...400'...and put 300 on my primary, and have a 50' length in the bilge (+ rode) for a secondary. The last 50' I put in that blue crate.
Glad to see you'll be putting it to good use.
My suggestion for SF bay and coastal cruising...shackle 200' of 3/4" nylon 3-strand behind the 50' shot of chain, and call it good. This set-up would not be adequate for cruising (use all chain if you can), but along with the 66 lb Bruce, would make a good coastal set-up.
When you go cruising, lay in all chain for your primary, and keep the chain/ rode combo for your secondary.
This way you can put off the cost of chain for awhile, lay in a rode combo that you will want in the future anyway, and have a good ground tackle solution for your current needs.
Hi to the fam
John

[GMac]

Originally Posted by Meridian

That's the good stuff...should be 3/8 Acco hi-tensile. Look at a link...should be stamped "G-4".

The 'G40 HT' is NOT a hi tensile chain. The HT stands for 'Hi-test' which basically means they elevated the load used during the Proof Test. By doing this you can claim a higher WLL. WLL is 1/2 of the proof load.

BUT and it a BUT worth noting, by pumping up the Proof Load to pump up the WLL it means the Safety margin has been decreased. In Acco's G40 HT case the Safety Margin is down to 2.5:1 where everyone elses G40 has a lower published WLL but with a 4:1 Safety Margin.

While Acco makes fantastic chain, no question about that at all, thier G40 chain will break at the same time as anyone else G40 whether is tagged 'HT' or not.

This HT is another good strike by the marketting department and a pretty damn clever one when you think aboiut it. John like many others fell into the HT = Hi Tensile trap, it's very common.

FYI - In the US the 'HT' tag is used extensivly but it is still a Grade 40 (Grade M is the new name) so if you are outside of the US buy a Grade 40 and you'll have exactly the same thing.

FYI 2 - There are only a very few real Hi Tensile anchor chains that are galvanised. PWB in Aussie make a Grade 50 (marginal Hi tensile). Acco (US), Maggi (Italy) and Gunnebo (Sweden) all make a Grade 70 (assorted names inc Schedual 7, Aqua7 and more) finished and galvanised. These are seriously strong chains but as they are a complete arse to galvanise without strength lose they do cost.

I sell 100's of 1,000's of metres of anchor chain a year and still struggle to see why you would want to use a real Hi-Tensile chain, it just doesn't stack up when talking performance.

And don't be stupid enough to buy a Grade 70 or 80 chain and get it galvanised unless you have so much money you can afford to sit down afterwards and be happy to call it a 'learning exersize'. Galvanising a G70 would leave you with a Grade 50 at best, most likely a huge pile less. Buy a proper one unless you don't plan on sleeping or hate your boat.