Chains Under Different Standards

[vacendak]

somewhat exotic and VERY expensive

A7 is 5 times cheaper and seems to have higher WLL (basing on
MAGGI GROUP catalogue data); is it really that unreliable ? or may there
be some 'golden mean' between G50 & G70 ?

[GMac]

It's not unreliable just not the best chain for an anchor. A fair few use it without worry but whether they understand the downsides (most don't from what I see) or are even capable of loading it enough I'm not sure. Working on the just get a small chain with big load theory go for a Grade 100, a 6mm would hold a 50fter. But when the weather goes bad all the things that come with that are pretty much the same things high tensile chains don't like.

Grade 70 is what they use to tie loads on trucks with generally. Those loads are static.

5 times cheaper?? Not sure what you mean there. You're not getting dangled up in Euros thinking $$'s?

Just look at the loads of a A7 8mm, off the top of my head (home broken is me) something like 1500kg WLL and 7000 break. Huge and far beyond anything attached to it. FYI - I sell that actual A7 ex-Maggi and it is quite popular with the US cruisers but not many others. But by far it would be the lowest amount of any anchoring chains we do.

You're looking at swapping gypsies by the looks, ever though about a 9mm G40? 0.5kg/mt less than 10mm. Basically the same as 5/16" US made G40. Save a bit of weight there and still have nice loads.

[vacendak]

well, my sources are rather poor; what I got is MAGGI catalogue from NauticExpo; made a short summary here:



the price of G50 seems really high
maybe you could prompt another supplier in Europe ?

I understand that 10mm chain is "just what the doctor ordered" for my boat;
the problem's name is "small chainlocker" - fine for 100m / 8mm chain, tight for 10 mm;
should have either shorter chain or find a compromise.
Your idea about 9mm chain sounds great, but
- this size is not too common
- where to find relevant gypsy ? Anchorlift does not have such

[GMac]

Ahhh.... that G50 is Stainless. That may explain the price

The 9mm can be swapped directly for US 5/16" G4 (the more common sized one anyway) so not too an uncommon size. You'll even find it in NZ.

Anchorlift gypsies are not bad multi-sized, by that I mean the 8mm gypsy will/should take a range of 8mm. They say it will take a 5/16" so should take a 9mm. I'll get my boys to suss one on Monday, we have a couple there. I'm laid up with a stupid self-inflicted injury, missing a good regatta this weekend as well, bugger.

[vacendak]

I'm laid up with a stupid self-inflicted injury, missing a good regatta

do be well soon
I'm really envious here, imagining you having late summer - beginning
of the "velvet" season - compared to our late winter, wet and dirty

The 9mm can be swapped directly for US 5/16" G4 (the more common sized one anyway)
so not too an uncommon size. You'll even find it in NZ

in NZ, yes - not in Baltic states - we can find almost nothing here, and
have to search for gear throughout the world (and yes, Americans are ready
to ship whatever you like, but you know - the oats are cheap, but the boats expensive )

will be really grateful for some good chain supplier name
(Maggi do not mention any dealers on their website, neither they reply to my e-mails)

[GMac]

Yes the pain is not nice but you'll be pleased (???) to know that yesterday it was a nice 25C, humidity bloody high, sunny and a nice breeze. Today pissing down and 40+kts expecting 50 odd soon. Still a nice 23C odd. Nice again tomorrow.

I'll see what names I can dig up for you. It may take a day or 2 though.

Replying to emails is not one of their strong suit. I don't think that many are good with English so maybe they are waiting for someone to come back to work. Something we get often.

[vacendak]

yes, 50 kts might be too rough; all other things (+25C, sunny, breeze, ocean ...)
Aw ! I want to be there

I don't think that many are good with English so maybe they are waiting for someone to come back to work. Something we get often.

yes, these are too lazy for studying extra languages

thanks for your help a lot; BTW - have you heard anything about
Wagener & Simon GmbH & Co of Wuppertal, Germany ?

Wagener & Simon WASI GmbH & Co. KG: Home

- claim themselves as big pro's in Anchors / Chains / Connectors etc. -all Stainless Steel

[GMac]

Yeap, good stainless gear from Wasi. The home of the Bugal anchor, probably spelt wrong though and the Wasi Powerball, a nice swivel.

Wind and rain excepted it's damn nice today..... errrr for some not injured anyway.

[vacendak]

Wind and rain excepted it's damn nice today

I think weather Gods are saving their best weather for you, Gmac

re: WASI powerball - is it really that nice ? doesn't look too convincing

seems that rotating part can be torn out of the body at a shock load

[GMac]

G'day again vacendak. Sorry but I seemed to have missed your last post.

Yes the powerball does look 'wrong' but it does work and very well. Strength doesn't seem to be an issue as Wasi do use top end grades of stainless. From memory I think the powerballs are made to a G40 load so should exceed the grade of chain most people use.

I've never seen or heard anything that makes us worry about them. I'd happily use one, if I didn't already make my own

If you are using a powerball or any swivel really that you think you may load right up sometimes just put a shackle or a few links of chain between that and your anchor. That will totally remove any side loads so the pull is always in-line where the bigger strength is. Generally most have zero drama just putting it straight on the anchor though.

[vacendak]

hello GMac
will think over - maybe give WASI a try
returning to Maggi chains - I got some reaction !
still, a bit unexpected - found their printed catalogue in my mailbox
still no information about dealers / retailers
might you know any European reseller of their products ?

[GMac]

You have to wonder sometimes, we do often with them
You hear zip and all of a sudden all hell breaks loose.

I'll suss and see what/who I can find for you. I know of a crowd in Ipswitch, UK (I think it is and spelling warning) but not many specific ones in the EU mainland.

[vacendak]

thanks for your help

You have to wonder sometimes

I do wonder: why Yahoo! (when browsing for Aqua7 chain, MaggiGroup etc.)
does not give any names - except NauticExpo & Maggi itself
(and links to dealers' websites @ maggigroup.com are dead or inactual)

don't they care about selling own products ?

[Boracay]

I am currently looking at 10mm short link chain here in Oz and have been offered one length with a test certificate and one that has been load rated.

Is there likely to be a difference between the two?

[GMac]

Test Certs are good as long as they are very information rich as opposed to a few lines with just loads or similar.

Rated is also good as long as you know what the loads are i.e. rated to what? In NZ and AUS there are 3 common 10mm chains. One has loads in the 3200kg area, one 5000kg and one at 6400kg. All are often called 'rated' or 'proof coil'. 1 is asian, one AUS and one Italian. The Italian is one grade up from the Aus hence the load differance.

If in Aus I'd be looking for Serafini chains made in Brizzy or PWB made in Melbounre. Both are good, I sell and use both myself.

Just check they will fit your gypsy. Both are 29.7mm pitch (internal link length) and have WLL of 1250kg.

As far as I know there is some but little Italian around over there.

The Aus market if flooded with cheap asian so watch for that. It's not recommended by anyone who knows chains as yet. The Aus marine market is surprizingly low quality when talking ropes and chains at the retail end. there is plenty of good stuff but it looks likeq you have to hunt around a bit.