SeaTiger 555 with high test chain

[zboss]

Hi,

I checked the stamp on my windlass gypsy and referenced back to the manual and it says that I gypsy will use either 3/8" BBB (which I currently have) or 3/8" AMERICAN hi-test.

However, when I put a sample of the 3/8" G4 on my gypsy it didn't seem to sit very well within the grooves. I don't know what to think because my BBB also doesn't seem to fit well yet its apparently worked fine for 30 years...

So.. what's the deal? I really want to go G4 so I can have more chain in my locker, or less chain that is lighter.

thanks,

z

[Krogensailor]

Where is this stamp? On the Gypsy.

[RainDog]

I don't think 3/8 high test weighs any less than 3/8 BBB.

I have the same windlass and wish I could find a way to get 5/16 high test in it, but I sure have not found one.

[Stumble]

Which gypsy do you have? I have included the specs for each of them below.

As you can see because gipsy's are designed to fit multiple sizes of chain a perfect fit is unlikely.

RCB60
1/2 S-L 0058006 / 0058206
7/16 American BBB
1/2 American BBB
3/8 American proof coil
7/16 American proof coil
7/16 American Hi Test

RCB70
9.5mm S-L 0058004 / 0058202
3/8 American BBB
3/8 American High Test
10mm Most European

B80
5/16 0058003 / 0058203
5/16 American BBB
5/16 American Hi Test
8mm Most European

B74
5/16 S-L 0058004 / 0058204
5/16 S-L 0058005 / 0058205
3/8 American BBB
5/16 American Proof Coil

B65
1/2 S-L 0058006 / 0058206
7/16 American BBB
1/2 American BBB
3/8 American proof coil
3/8 American Hi Test

BB54
1/2 American Proof Coil
1/2 American Hi Test

Other chain in the 8mm(5/16) to 12mm (1/2) with a pitch up to 36mm (1,3/8) may fit.

[JonJo]

I wonder how Americans cope with the variable chain sizes:

These are link sizes for 3/8th inch chain, all internal measurements.

ACCO ISO G43 (which I think you call HT)

1.030 x 0.5 inches

G30 ACCO ISO

1.23 x 0.62 inches

BBB ACCO

1.09 x 0.62 inches

Boatmans Pride G43

1.220 x 0.58 inches

That's from the Peerless catalogue

That;s a big variation, almost 0,2 inch difference in link length and 0.1 inch variation in width.

If you set American chains, side by side, I've only done it for 5/16th inch, the different link sizes really stand out. And along side metric chain which would be nominally 10mm there is no comparison. But metric chains, G3, G4 or G7 are all the same size - except you need be careful of 10mm as there are 2 standards and they differ for the 10mm link only.

You could look at Campbell, which might (or might not) conform and you could look at WM, CMP/Titan et al which might be different again.

It does not surprise me your new chain sample does not fit - I would actually have been surprised, given the variation, if it had fitted

Good chain suppliers should be able to take your gypsy and match chain to it (chandlers tend not to do this for you). Try 1st Chain (if they are near you). Or check the dimensions of your current chain and run through the various specs and see if you can find a G43 to match.

You will not save any weight, all 3/8 inch chain weighs almost the same per foot as any other 3/8th inch chain. To save weight you will need to reduce link size - and that means you will need a new gypsy - and new gypsies are not cheap.

Do not be too beguiled by the strength of G43 vs BBB or G30 chain. G30 and BBB have a 4:1 safety factor, G43 has a 3:1 safety factor (making G43 look good). As far as I can ascertain there is nothing specially safe about G43 the odd safety factor is some historical quirk - maybe because G43 was originally a Transport Chain. Look at min breaking strengths they give a more realistic basis for comparison. Moving to G43, of the same size, will make you less twitchy in a blow - but chain failure, even undersize, 'even' BBB is notable by its absence.

Post how you get on

Good Luck

Jonathan

[pbiJim]

Originally Posted by RainDog

I don't think 3/8 high test weighs any less than 3/8 BBB.

The long link chains weigh less per foot than the short link chains of the same thickness. I am not aware of BBB style short link being available in a high test version. I have only see high test in the standard link length. Did I miss something? Is HT BBB also out there?

[RainDog]

I was going by the 1-st Chain Supply specs. It lists 3/8 BBB as 1.56 lbs/ft and 3/8 G4 as 1.54 lbs/ft.

I have the RCB70 windlass. It fits my current 3/8 BBB perfectly. When I looked at using G4, it did not work. As pointed out above there may be many sizes of G4, so maybe others would work.