Visit our Popular Forums

MarkJ · 14-04-2009, 04:58

Joining anchor chain.

Well, bright eyes, how do you do it?

We have aprox 40 meters of chain and are buying 50 meters more. 10mm at 30mm pitch... so its basic 10mm short link anchor chain.

We want to join both bitteis, obviously.

We will be joining it so the question is : what is the best, cruiser achievable, methods to use ?

Thanky!

Mark
PS No its NOT Chinese chain.....
PPS No, I'm not pullin your chain....
PPPS Stupid replies with advice to spend $1000 will have that amount immediately withdrawn from their bank accounts... Yes, I'm Big Brother and I know your number...

**Ancora Latina** · 14-04-2009, 05:06

STUD LINK ANCHOR CHAIN

MarkJ · 14-04-2009, 05:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ancora Latina

STUD LINK ANCHOR CHAIN

Yes, but which is best?

**Ancora Latina** · 14-04-2009, 05:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Yes, but which is best?

The "best" is using a single length of chain without any join...

Join are potential weak points... and you should be very carefull when selecting one. Its SWL should be at least as big as the one of the chain.

And… 40 meters of chain is far enough, using a 5/1 scope you can anchor in 8 meters deep water, then if you need to have more scope, use Nylon rope which will give you ELASTICITY..

João

Lodesman · 14-04-2009, 07:52

Mark,

I think Joao's link doesn't have anything small enough - this is probably more in line with what you need: West Marine: Acco Connecting Links Product Display

Kevin

**Jim Cate** · 14-04-2009, 09:04

Mark,

I suppose that this will excite a lot of negative posts, but we've used joining links such as shown in the Worst Marine post above for nearly thirty years with no problems. IN Australia we've not seen the Acco ones, but most chandleries stock s/s ones. With some misgiving we've used these in recent years, and again, so far we've not had a problem (touch wood here).

Of course we would much rather have a continuous length of nice new chain, but that's not often in the budget. FWIW, the s/s links sold in Oz go through our gypsy (or wildcat for the pedantic) just fine... this is with 10mm short link Australian origin chain.

Cheers,
Jim

captain465 · 14-04-2009, 10:40

Just a quick question here.........would you put the new chain below(as in first into the water) or above the existing chain?

**Hudson Force** · 14-04-2009, 13:01

I've used both styles of connecting links successfully. Before using the links I had asked an experienced surveyor and salvage operator and he had never encountered a loss of a vessel due to a failure of a connector link,- far more likely for the anchor to lose hold first. I usually add new chain to the bitter end and discard a section closest to the anchor. We are liveaboard cruisers anchoring out more than half of our days. 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

MarkJ · 14-04-2009, 14:07

Thanks Kevin and Jim. hey are the ones I have seen.

Joao, no, 8 meters depth aint enough and rope is a no-no here. Its all coral and I was in 16 meters depth the other night and there is plenty to anchor in 20 meters.
So 90 meters would give me good scope and also good holding in a wind. Certainly prefer 1 long anchor than twistable multiple anchors off the bow.

Even Fatty Goodlender lost 3 anchors trying to move the boat in a storm. I look over the bow and see a mess I KNOW aint gunna come up. Thats scary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain465

Just a quick question here.........would you put the new chain below(as in first into the water) or above the existing chain?

New cahin below, as in first in the water.

Why?

Cos I pay for a new toy so I wanna play with it not hoard it.

Also 50 meters is far by enough for most anchoring. So with the 40 m on the inboard end we should rearly go over the chain link anyway.

If there is a storm: I thought I might shackle an extra foot of chain either side of the chain link. So if the link fails the extra foot will take up. Does that sound stupid? It wouldnt be needed unless there is a real blow.

Quote:

surveyor and salvage operator and he had never encountered a loss of a vessel due to a failure of a connector link

That kinda says a bit

Thanks for everyones advice.

Mark

Therapy · 14-04-2009, 15:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

If there is a storm: I thought I might shackle an extra foot of chain either side of the chain link. So if the link fails the extra foot will take up. Does that sound stupid? It wouldnt be needed unless there is a real blow.

Mark

That's using the old noggin!

Lodesman · 14-04-2009, 17:40

Mark,

Again from the WM - their catalogue lists the SWL of the Acco links, very similar to same size BBB chain: West Marine Annual Catalog - page 158. There's larger sizes here: Galvanized Connecting Chain Links

I'm sure you can find something suitable down unda.

Kevin