Quick-link Corrosion - SNAP!

[POH]

Just had a really really traumatic experience I thought I'd share.

Our anchor chain snapped at 4am in about 30knots wind. We just barely avoided hitting a boat downwind of us.

The culprit: a quick-link type connector.

Check your chain (better than I did).

Story & pics on our blog.

[SkiprJohn]

[SkiprJohn]

Sorry about your close call. Lucky you were able to get through it. I posted a photo of what I use to splice chain together. I think a galvanized shackle would be better to attach anchor to chain and rode to chain rather than a quick link.
kind regards,

[POH]

Thanks SkiprJohn. That's the type of link that snapped - but since I bought the boat used I have no idea what the brand/manufacturer was.

That link was corroding at a higher rate than the rest of the chain (it was chain to chain).

I keep having the catch phrase "you are the weakest link" pop into my head ...

[GordMay]

This is a “Quick-Link” connector; not at all like the Crosby “Missing Link”, that John pictured.

Not recommended ➥ BATTALION Threaded Quick Link, Zinc - Eye Pulleys and Snaps - 1RCD1|1RCD1 - Grainger Industrial Supply

➥ Welcome to Campbell®

A proper Crosby “Missing Link”

➥ Crosby Catalog - Links - Pear Shape "Missing Link" Replacement Links

➥ http://www.riggingwarehouse.com/cust...ks%20Specs.pdf

[SkiprJohn]

I don't question what you know you have on your chain but are you certain it was a "missing link" as opposed to a "quick link"? The reason I ask is because I truly depend on the "missing link". It comes in two halves and is hammered together and has just as much hot dip galvanizing as my chain.
If yours failed I'll start looking for another product or will weld it together.
kind regards,

[Nicholson58]

There is an extended discussion of anchor joining tackle here. http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...oll-95608.html

I think this is what you want. Kenter Link. In 1/2 inch size I think it is about 4X the rating of the quick link shown above.

I think this is a source. I'm working on it for our boat along with a swivel forerunner.

http://anchormarinehouston.com/sites...ngs-swivel.gif

[delmarrey]

I carry a spare "Missing Link"! If the one being used starts to look bad. On goes the new one.
BTW these have the same working load limit as the BBB chain but half that of G4 chain. So it's best to put it at the anchor end if your going to use one.

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by POH

Just had a really really traumatic experience I thought I'd share.

Our anchor chain snapped at 4am in about 30knots wind. We just barely avoided hitting a boat downwind of us.

The culprit: a quick-link type connector.

Check your chain (better than I did).

Story & pics on our blog.

This is your pic, i think these are deadly as they hold salt, sand etc and corrode then fail. They don't handle chain twist very well. We have one and i'm chucking it and welding prior to galvanising. Cheers.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

There is an extended discussion of anchor joining tackle here. http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...oll-95608.html

I think this is what you want. Kenter Link. In 1/2 inch size I think it is about 4X the rating of the quick link shown above.

I think this is a source. I'm working on it for our boat along with a swivel forerunner.

http://anchormarinehouston.com/sites...ngs-swivel.gif

I like the look of that. Twisting/shearing forces are going to be spread out along the length of that, as opposed to a single point, like on a Kong or a Quickline swivel.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

I like the look of that. Twisting/shearing forces are going to be spread out along the length of that, as opposed to a single point, like on a Kong or a Quickline swivel.

Yes! Fine and dandy if you have a 50 mm (2") chain or larger.

[noelex 77]

There is a good independent analysis of c links here:

C-links

[SkiprJohn]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

There is a good independent analysis of c links here:

C-links

Thanks for that. I'm glad mine are Crosby and I feel safer about it now even though my boat is on the hard.

kind regards,

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Thanks for that. I'm glad mine are Crosby and I feel safer about it now even though my boat is on the hard.

kind regards,

If you break the anchor chain when the boat is on the hard stand you have got problems

[barnakiel]

POH: a quick link is NOT your 'chain'.

Read tests of links/chains/shackles in magazines - links tend to fail long before they reach your chain's breaking load. Avoid. Go shackle-in-shackle if you want to joint two pieces of chain.

Glad to hear you are fine!

b.