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29-01-2017, 06:19
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Boat in Greece
Boat: Lagoon 400
Posts: 1,430
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Re: Measure length of chain
My 2cents as to the markings:
Light colour bands painted on the chain (like yellow) are easier to see at night than dark.
We have inserted plastic (yellow) markers,
1 marker - at 10m
2 markers - 20m
3 markers - 30m, etc.
Very easy to understand or to explain to a new crew.
Previously, with paint, used the same system, but with separate bands, e.g. 4 yellow bands at 40m.
__________________
Mark, S/Y Bat-Yam
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29-01-2017, 09:10
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,477
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Re: Measure length of chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by adlib2
I have a hand held remote control for my windlass that incorporates a chain counter. Quite economical and one of my better purchases as I was continually replacing non operating foot switches.
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I had remotes on two boats, really like them. Never had the luxury of a counter though.
People seem to have success with zip ties, I didn't, they broke off pretty fast for me. Maybe my Wildcat fit too well! Once I used fluorescent orange and green yarn (the kind sold for fishing lures) It worked pretty well. But paint worked fine for me.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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29-01-2017, 10:18
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#18
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Measure length of chain
I didn't even install the foot switches that came with the windlass on this boat, I have not had positive experiences with them in the past. I bought a cheap remote on Amazon and it has been perfect.
However the paint has not worked for me and we are not even full time yet, I am sure then it won't stay long, I have seen pieces of tape used and even some plastic markers made for this purpose, but understand they don't stay either.
This string you guys talk about, what is it, have a link?
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29-01-2017, 12:26
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,477
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Re: Measure length of chain
You mean Yarn? buy poly yarn. Flourescent available at fishing lure stores.. paint does have to be redone maybe yearly on the first few marks you use a lot. I paint about a foot long each color.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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29-01-2017, 13:23
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#20
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,151
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Re: Measure length of chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot
I didn't even install the foot switches that came with the windlass on this boat, I have not had positive experiences with them in the past. I bought a cheap remote on Amazon and it has been perfect.
However the paint has not worked for me and we are not even full time yet, I am sure then it won't stay long, I have seen pieces of tape used and even some plastic markers made for this purpose, but understand they don't stay either.
This string you guys talk about, what is it, have a link?
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After years of experimentation, we've settled on use of string of different colours for our markers. We take a length of ~a meter and weave it through t he links, leaving a short length loose at each end. These are easily seen, and have been far more durable than any other system we've tried. The marking system that you chose is whatever works for your memory.
The type of string doesn't matter too much. We are using coloured dacron purchased from a chandlery,but that yarn would likely do just as well.
Jim
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
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29-01-2017, 13:31
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#21
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Writing Full-Time Since 2014
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Deale, MD
Boat: PDQ Altair, 32/34
Posts: 9,567
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Re: Measure length of chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by teddythetwig
Ok, I really feel stupid asking this question, but I've spent some time thinking about it... My new to me Contest 40 came with a length of anchor chain, but I don't know how long it is. Is there a good method to measure the length? I was thinking maybe weighing it would be the best bet.
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Does the boat have a windlass? these generally run at a very steady pace. After establishing the rate (lower a know length and time it), run out the full length while watching a stop watch. You'll be done in less than a minute.
Yes, you should mark the chain too.
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29-01-2017, 13:34
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#22
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Boat: Fisher pilothouse sloop 32'
Posts: 3,416
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Re: Measure length of chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Cate
After years of experimentation, we've settled on use of string of different colours for our markers. We take a length of ~a meter and weave it through t he links, leaving a short length loose at each end. These are easily seen, and have been far more durable than any other system we've tried. The marking system that you chose is whatever works for your memory.
The type of string doesn't matter too much. We are using coloured dacron purchased from a chandlery,but that yarn would likely do just as well.
Jim
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Jim, just a quick question, do you find that just weaving the string is adequate or do you have to fasten it to the chain?
Cheers
__________________
Rob aka Uncle Bob Sydney Australia.
Life is 10% the cards you are dealt, 90% how you play em
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29-01-2017, 13:40
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#23
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,151
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Re: Measure length of chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Bob
Jim, just a quick question, do you find that just weaving the string is adequate or do you have to fasten it to the chain?
Cheers
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We just weave it back and forth through the links. If it begins to un-weave itself, I just stop the windlass as the errant bit is on deck and re-weave it. Doesn't happen very often, and we've only lost one bit in quite a few years of usage. Works for us!
Jim
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
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29-01-2017, 13:43
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#24
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Boat: Fisher pilothouse sloop 32'
Posts: 3,416
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Re: Measure length of chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Cate
We just weave it back and forth through the links. If it begins to un-weave itself, I just stop the windlass as the errant bit is on deck and re-weave it. Doesn't happen very often, and we've only lost one bit in quite a few years of usage. Works for us!
Jim
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Jim, thanks. Simple and elegant and about to be used on mine.
__________________
Rob aka Uncle Bob Sydney Australia.
Life is 10% the cards you are dealt, 90% how you play em
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29-01-2017, 15:21
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#25
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Measure length of chain
I'm going to give the string thing a try, I have lots of bright orange cave line. I painted in different colors, red, white and blue, but I don't think it matters that much, just count how many strings go by should work too.
The paint has not lasted, it was cheap spray paint though
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29-01-2017, 16:01
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#26
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, cruising in Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,432
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Re: Measure length of chain
When we were trying paint, we primed, then painted. Still, it just wet sands off from moving through the bottoms. Discouraging. I think you'll like the string, Pilot, it's dead simple, and if it gets stained, you can replace it.
Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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29-01-2017, 17:12
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#27
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Keystone CO
Boat: 50 Bene
Posts: 254
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Re: Measure length of chain
I would be careful using line woven into the links. The previous owner of our boat did that and while easy to see it will hold saltwater and rust your chain. Especially towards the bottom of the chain locker. We had 300 feet of 3/8 bbb chain and we can only use about 120ft due to significant rust where each line was woven in. Basically the whole rode is garbage, looking into replacing or fixing it now. Any thoughts or ideas on how to fix it? We are in the JAX area. We currently use colored zip ties and are happy. We keep a bag of them tied next to the wash down hose in case we need to replace them. So far none have come off.
Cheers
Will
__________________
Money can't buy happiness, but you can buy a boat and it's pretty much the same thing......
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29-01-2017, 17:25
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#28
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,151
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Re: Measure length of chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clipper4730
I would be careful using line woven into the links. The previous owner of our boat did that and while easy to see it will hold saltwater and rust your chain. Especially towards the bottom of the chain locker. We had 300 feet of 3/8 bbb chain and we can only use about 120ft due to significant rust where each line was woven in. Basically the whole rode is garbage, looking into replacing or fixing it now. Any thoughts or ideas on how to fix it? We are in the JAX area. We currently use colored zip ties and are happy. We keep a bag of them tied next to the wash down hose in case we need to replace them. So far none have come off.
Cheers
Will
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Interesting, but not noted during our years of usage.
Jim
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
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29-01-2017, 18:38
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#29
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,117
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Re: Measure length of chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clipper4730
I would be careful using line woven into the links. The previous owner of our boat did that and while easy to see it will hold saltwater and rust your chain. Especially towards the bottom of the chain locker. We had 300 feet of 3/8 bbb chain and we can only use about 120ft due to significant rust where each line was woven in. Basically the whole rode is garbage, looking into replacing or fixing it now. Any thoughts or ideas on how to fix it? We are in the JAX area. We currently use colored zip ties and are happy. We keep a bag of them tied next to the wash down hose in case we need to replace them. So far none have come off.
Cheers
Will
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http://www.campbellchainandfittings....pair-lap-links
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
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29-01-2017, 18:42
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#30
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,151
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Re: Measure length of chain
Quote:
Originally Posted by newhaul
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I'm not sure why you posted this link. The joiners shown are NOT full strength, and should NEVER be used in an anchor chain.
Jim
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
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