Aging Chain to Rope Splice

[hugosalt]

Looking to get a sense what others do
as chain to rope splices age?
background...splice is not on primary anchor
not used daily, no windless to fray splice,
I inspect often enough (that is every time it's used)
chain and rope appear to be in excellent condition,
fresh water rinse after most uses, going on 5th year.
Resplice now? Continue to keep close eye out?
Has anyone covered splice with clear tubing?
Did't see any old threads addressing aging issues without wear and tear of continued windlass use. Thanks in advance. Hugo

[forsailbyowner]

On primary with windlass I resplice about every two months.

[daddle]

Resplice it. It's easy. If the rode is so old that resplicing is difficult it's time to buy a new rode. Also consider swapping the rode end-for-end.

[Bash]

hmmm. If you're not using a windlass, why use the chain-to-rope splice? Wouldn't a proper eye splice with thimble provide more security?

(I'm assuming we're talking three-strand here.) My understanding of the chain-to-rope splice is that its purpose is to facillitate passage through a windlass gypsy. I think a good eye slice would be more durable if you didn't need to get the splice through the gypsy.

It would be good to get other opinions about this.

[johnar]

resplice and No do not coat it water will get in and make it rot raster and you will not be able to see it.

Remember a chain is only as strong and its weakest link.


Dutch

[eyschulman]

IF NO GYPSY-NO ROPE CHAIN SPLICE PLAIN AND SIMPLE

[iiii]

if it shows signs of wear, we flip it end for end and resplice. Next time we cut off a few feet and resplice again. Easy and cheap.

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by hugosalt

Looking to get a sense what others do
as chain to rope splices age?

On the one hand, cutting this splice off and making a new one is dead easy and at most a half hour job, so would agree with all the above and if you have any concerns I would resplice it.

On the other hand, there is no reason to suspect a rarely used splice just based on age. The age does not weaken the splice. And these splices are incredibly durable and really don't degrade much inside even in use. Most of the degrading is chafe on the outside.

I used to cut my splices open each year, and inspect and redo, but I have stopped because they were always perfect and it was just a waste of good rope. I now only do it when the chain is ready to be end for ended (when the galvanizing is worn on the anchor end and it is starting to rust just a little).

From the facts you gave I would say you should just leave it alone. But from the fact you are asking I would suggest you might be more comfortable and sleep better if you redo the splice.

You can cover the splice if you want. Leather is the prefered material. But it probably is not all that useful in this application.

[lancelot9898]

Speaking of the rope chain splice, I've use an eye splice(without the thimble) as opposed to a back splice when making that connection. Not sure if there is much difference between the two, but I like having the three strand rope staying intack when passing through the chain link as opposed to seperating the strands out when passing through the link. ??

The chafe potential between the chain link and the attached line would seem to be less with such a splice. I can see arguments both ways however.

[Randy]

Without a windlass there's no point to a chain/rope splice. An eye splice with a good glavanized thimble is the way to go.

[dixonwj]

Question is do you want to sleep when you use this anchor ?? What is the cost of a couple of feet of rope? If you don't trust it, don't use it.

[hugosalt]

Thanks all, I did original splice in anticipation of new windlass
(which was attached to new boat that didn't happen!)
My concern stemmed from my misconceptions about chain to
rope splices years ago...which turn out are unfounded.
I realize, with close inspection, splice will probably be good
for some time to come. (thanks Evan)
I will eventually turn rope end over end and eye splice with
thimble and forget about it for a while.
Unless a windlass attached to a new boat catches my eye!
Thanks again all. Hugo