Replacing 3/8 BBB chain with Grade 43 high test

[jaysawyer]

I need to replace my old rusted 3/8 inch BBB chain and pretty sure I need to use the stronger Grade 43 in 3/8 inch. I have a Lofrans, Tigress windlass.
There is a slight difference in the length and width of the links.
My present BBB has an inside length of 1.09 inch and 0.62 inch width of the links.
Grade 43 chain has an inside length of 1.22 inch and 0.60 inside width of the links.
That is .13 of an inch difference in length.

Does anyone know if that will still run well on my windless gypsy? Have any of you changed chains like this?

Thanks

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by jaysawyer

I need to replace my old rusted 3/8 inch BBB chain and pretty sure I need to use the stronger Grade 43 in 3/8 inch. I have a Lofrans, Tigress windlass.
There is a slight difference in the length and width of the links.
My present BBB has an inside length of 1.09 inch and 0.62 inch width of the links.
Grade 43 chain has an inside length of 1.22 inch and 0.60 inside width of the links.
That is .13 of an inch difference in length.

Does anyone know if that will still run well on my windless gypsy? Have any of you changed chains like this?

Thanks

https://www.lofrans.com/spare-parts for the Tigres windlass shows different gypsies for 10mmISO-3/8”HT chain and 3/8” BBB chain. So no, you can’t use the same gypsy for the new chain. Other than cost, swapping gypsies is very simple.

[GordMay]

Lofrans Gypsies
➥ https://www.lofrans.com/product/80-gypsies/5103-gypsy

Lofrans Replacement Gypsy [options to change chain size or calibration]
➥ https://jimmygreen.com/lofrans-windl...lacement-gypsy

[Mickeyrouse]

I would encourage you to get your existing chain re-zinc’ed. Try to find an industrial galvanizer with a centrifuge for galvanizing zinc. Charges are typically based on a minimum weight of items to be re-galvanized. I have experienced minimums from 250 to 500 pounds at a cost of 50 cents per pound for the minimum weight. Have all your chain and anchors together and that of a few friends to reach the minimum. It’s a lot cheaper than new chain- and you KNOW the chain fits your windlass. Properly done, should be good for another ten-fifteen years.

[mikereed100]

You will definitely need a different gypsy. Contact any of the suppliers for more info. They will likely request that you send them a foot of your new chain for an exact fit.

[Cheechako]

Buy a foot, test it on your wildcat. Seems I had a windlass that was surprisingly rated for both. IIRC
Or maybe ISO is different than the older US G4?
Maybe the outside length, which is what really matters, isn't as much difference as the .13" due to shape?

[jaysawyer]

Thanks for your suggestion to test out a length of the new chain I want to buy. Very prudent! Before I get a huge barrel of it.

[desodave]

If you're near the chandlery where you're going to buy the chain, take your gypsy in with you and match the chain to it there. I replaced the chain on my previous boat and the original was likely a 3/8 (BBB ?) .... same problems measuring links as you. I had an old Simpson Lawrence windlass and the gypsy also fit 5/16 G4 ... which I bought after confirming it in the chandlery. The G4 is less weight and I believe stronger than the original (likely) 3/8. That I had. May also work for you depending on your gypsy.

[SailingHarmonie]

There really is no need to test if an HT chain will fit a BBB windlass. It will NOT. Period.

If you are really going to change from BBB to HT, since you need to change the gypsy, you might consider going down a size to 5/16. You will not lose any strength, and the weight loss in the bow of the boat will help your boat's sailing.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

There really is no need to test if an HT chain will fit a BBB windlass. It will NOT. Period.

That's not a hard rule. It depends on the windlass and the chainwheel design it uses. Some use a different gypsy for HT and BBB, but not all. Many of the modern Maxwell windlasses use the same gypsy for multiple chain specs, for example. My HRC10-8 is listed as taking 5/16" BBB, 5/16" G43, 8mm DIN 766, 8mm EN-818, and 8mm grade L and P chain all on the same chainwheel. The other chainwheel available takes 3/8" BBB, 3/8" G43, 3/8" G30, 5/16" G30, 5/16" G70, 3/8" G70, 3/8" G63, 3/8" G80, and several types of 10mm chain.

[HopCar]

Why do you feel you need stronger chain? Has the BBB ever broken?

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

That's not a hard rule. It depends on the windlass and the chainwheel design it uses. Some use a different gypsy for HT and BBB, but not all. Many of the modern Maxwell windlasses use the same gypsy for multiple chain specs, for example. My HRC10-8 is listed as taking 5/16" BBB, 5/16" G43, 8mm DIN 766, 8mm EN-818, and 8mm grade L and P chain all on the same chainwheel. The other chainwheel available takes 3/8" BBB, 3/8" G43, 3/8" G30, 5/16" G30, 5/16" G70, 3/8" G70, 3/8" G63, 3/8" G80, and several types of 10mm chain.

The OP has a Lofrans Tigres windlass, which has separate gypsies for the different grades in 3/8”/10mm size. Your Maxwell windlass has nothing to do with the OP’s question.

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

There really is no need to test if an HT chain will fit a BBB windlass. It will NOT. Period.

If you are really going to change from BBB to HT, since you need to change the gypsy, you might consider going down a size to 5/16. You will not lose any strength, and the weight loss in the bow of the boat will help your boat's sailing.

Great idea - if 3/8” BBB is strong enough, go the next size down in a stronger grade. We did exactly that, going from 1/2” to 3/8”. More chain, less weight, less bulk, same strength.

[HopCar]

From the ACCO chain website:
3/8” HDG BBB working load limit 2650 pounds
5/16” HDG G43 working load limit 3900 pounds

[Icarus]

You need to change the gypsy...
Just get a 1m of the chain you want to buy and see if the gypsy can accommodate it.
It's either imperial or metric short link
The grade is irrelevant