Chain End to End or Not

[Sandiiyam48t]

OK we have been cruising 2 1/2 years,, our chain LOOKS fine but a bit rusted in a few spots, as we have 300 feet of chain my question is should I change it end to end or just cut off the few inks closest to the anchor connection, or just leave it as is. We doc 1/3 the time to date but anchor out for long periods also.

I plan on re galvanizing after this season so am just looking for a short term solution.
as always thanks for your help.

Sandra
I Yam What I Yam

[carlylelk]

If there is a visible loss of section you should remove those links from the chain. Remove the rust and using a micrometer ($15 at HF) check the remaining diameter. If you have lost 10% or more of the AREA compared to an unrusted section, consider those links unusable. If it's less than that it's OK. Flipping it end for end will also remove the rusted links from your "lifeline" at anchor.

[Vasco]

I would end for end it so the whole length is used evenly.

[skipmac]

I would make the decision based on how many likes are rusting on the used end and how badly they are rusting

If no more than a foot or two more or less AND the links were really rusted (as in flakes of metal starting to form or chip off) then I would cut.

If 10' or 20' or more AND just a very slight discoloration from surface rust I would end for end and save the chain.

[belizesailor]

I usually end for end every couple of seasons (running rigging too). Ive seen some really bad chain down in the locker on many boats.

[rw58ph]

It’s the chain at the bottom that is usually the worse as it’s usually not used. I usually cut off the bottom that is non usable and add new to the front. I pull out all the chain last year, cleaned and WD 40 it, the bottom 1/3 had a lot of rust and bad links. We tie to the dock 90% of the time and only day anchor.

If all chain make sure you have an anchor bridle to take the shock load of the chain and windless.

[Cheechako]

swap ends...why not?

[chouliha]

We end for end every year. But we are full timer cruisers. Chain is almost 33 years old now. Been regalvanized a number of times over the years. At last count 3000+ nights at anchor.

Safe sailing

Chuck

[Hudson Force]

I guess there are several good plans here that vary by use of your chain, how it's stored, and even your windlass. We anchor often, but usually in fairly shallow water, so my chain closer to the anchor get much more use. My chain remaining in my locker seems to last longer than some others have indicated. Maybe this is because it's well ventilated and sits above a rarely used nylon rode. I don't "end for end" my chain, but I do sometimes add a shot to the proximal end and remove some nearest the anchor. I can do this with a pair of Crosby shackles as they move fairly smoothly over my manual windlass gypsy.

[captain58sailin]

I would chop out the bad and end for end. The chain at the bottom of the locker will sit and rust, but usually it doesn't waste as bad as the top shot that you use all the time. It is a good idea to measure your chain diameter as previously stated, that will give you the best idea about how your chain is wearing.