What Size Chain to Fit this Windlass

[hpeer]

First chain supply will sell you 1' samples of chain for $10, free shipping.

Buy the sizes of interest and try it out.

I found there was sufficient variation in chain size I could not accurately tell what was 3/8 or 10mm.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Rick Lovekin

I have the same windlass with 160 stamped on the gypsy. I have read your thread but still did not find the answer to what chain would fit that gypsy. I would very much appreciate what chain you found that worked.
Regards
Rick

Hi Rick,

IF you believe the original manual there are 10-15 different types of chain that will fit this gypsy. NOT!!

If I recall when I measured the (unmarked) chain that came with the boat and windlass it matched exactly the specs for 3/8" BBB chain. In case you haven't gotten into the complex world of chain and link dimensions, all 3/8" chain is not created equal. 3/8" is only the diameter of the steel making the links but the length and width of the links can vary dramatically in different chain types. Example, 3/8" G40 HT chain links are very different that 3/8" BBB and are not interchangeable on my windlass. The second anchor that came with the boat had about 50' of chain (again unmarked) that was 5/16" but not sure what grade but the links were longer than 5/16" BBB and that chain would also work (but not perfectly) in my windlass.

I have a spare gypsy that is a 170 which I believe will work with 5/16" G40 so I'm currently debating which new chain to use. That debate is not helped by all the reports I've read recently about poor galvanizing and early failure.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Take the gypsy off and take it to WM and try the chain on.
Here's a good spot for chain.
Chain, Chain Supplies, Binder Chains, Lifting Slings and Hooks

Gotta say that's the first time I've seen Westmarine's prices lower than another link!!!

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Rick Lovekin

Thanks for the welcome into the Forum.

I was hoping for the chain compatibility information Skipmac offered in his post of 23 09 2010 dealing with his SL Seawolf 520 windlass with 160 stamped on his gipsy.

If I am correct in reviewing the thread it looks like the 160 is the same as a 162 which in my SL manual it says I can use 5/16 American Proof Coil G3 or 3/8 American BBB. Would anyone have advise on the choice between these two?

I live in Canada with the boat , a CC Endeavor 38 in Florida. I was thinking of buying the chain up here .I just want to make sure the chain will work.Presently I have a rope rode and want to switch to all chain.
My last boat (a Contessa 32) didn't have a windlass. I am looking forward to the ease of lifting the anchor by pressing a button , but before I spend the money on chain I would like to know it is compatible with existing the Sl Seawolf 520

After researching chain and gypsies for my Seawolf and testing several sizes and types of chain I decided the Seawolf gypsy is most sensitive to the length of the link or to put it another way, the number of links per foot. In testing different types I found the chain would slip or jump out of the chain pockets in the gypsy unless I matched the links per foot for that gypsy. Again, 3/8" BBB works in my 160 series gypsy. And yes, the middle number of the part is the one that counts. So a 160 is the same as a 161 and a 162 but a 170 is different than a 160.

Not sure but if I recall, the 3/8" BBB I measured 10 1/2 or 11 links per foot. I can double check that if you like.

If I had to choose between the 5/16 G3 or the 3/8" BBB I think I would go with the BBB. However I'm considering 5/16" G40. Higher rated strength, lighter weight and cheaper than the 3/8" BBB.

[skipmac]

OK. Here's some chain specs for reference. Copied from another website so hopefully it's acceptable to do this. Don't think the information proprietary or copywrited.

Seems my memory hasn't failed yet. This shows the 3/8" BBB has 11.1 links/foot. The 5/16" G4 with 10.9 links per foot does also work in the same 160 gypsy.

'BBB' Anchor Chain Specifications

1/4" Hot Galvanized "BBB" Chain
Material Diameter: 1/4" / .281"
Inside Length: 0.85"
Inside Width: 0.43"
Working Load Limit: 1,325 LBS
Links Per Foot: 13.6
Weight Per 100 FT.: 72 LBS

5/16" Hot Galvanized "BBB" Chain
Material Diameter: 5/16" / .343"
Inside Length: 1.01"
Inside Width: 0.51"
Working Load Limit: 1,950 LBS
Links Per Foot: 12.1
Weight Per 100 FT.: 113 LBS

3/8" Hot Galvanized "BBB" Chain
Material Diameter: 3/8" / .406
Inside Length: 1.09"
Inside Width: 0.62"
Working Load Limit: 2,750 LBS
Links Per Foot: 11.1
Weight Per 100 FT.: 165 LBS

1/2" Hot Galvanized "BBB" Chain
Material Diameter: 1/2" / .531"
Inside Length: 1.34"
Inside Width: 0.75"
Working Load Limit: 4,750 LBS
Links Per Foot: 10.1
Weight Per 100 FT.: 272 LBS

G-4 High Test Anchor Chain Specifications

1/4" G4 High-Test Chain

Material Diameter: 1/4" / .281"
Inside Length: 0.84"
Inside Width: 0.41"
Working Load Limit: 2,600 LBS
Links Per Foot: 12.1
Weight Per 100 FT.: 74 LBS

5/16" G4 High-Test Chain
Material Diameter: 5/16" / .343"
Inside Length: 1.03"
Inside Width: 0.49"
Working Load Limit: 3,900 LBS
Links Per Foot: 10.9
Weight Per 100 FT.: 109 LBS

3/8" G4 High-Test Chain
Material Diameter: 3/8" / .406"
Inside Length: 1.22"
Inside Width: 0.57"
Working Load Limit: 5,400 LBS
Links Per Foot: 9.8
Weight Per 100 FT.: 153 LBS

1/2" G4 High-Test Chain
Material Diameter: 1/2" / .531"
Inside Length: 1.59"
Inside Width: 0.75"
Working Load Limit: 9,200 LBS
Links Per Foot: 8.1
Weight Per 100 FT.: 264 LBS

[Rick Lovekin]

Thanks everyone for the information on matching chain to my windlass. I think my safest bet is to go with the 3/8 BBB.
I appreciate everyone's help

[GMac]

Ah fellas, have you every considered the gypsy is for a metric chain?

The US has it's own standards and the rest of the world uses different ones, mainly metric based. The Standards usually have a direct relation to the physical measurements. The winch may have come from Europe or the Sth Pacific both of which do not use US sized chains.

I'll have a look in our database tomorrow, we have most gypsies listed in it.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by GMac

Ah fellas, have you every considered the gypsy is for a metric chain?

The US has it's own standards and the rest of the world uses different ones, mainly metric based. The Standards usually have a direct relation to the physical measurements. The winch may have come from Europe or the Sth Pacific both of which do not use US sized chains.

I'll have a look in our database tomorrow, we have most gypsies listed in it.

The manual for my SL windlass shows metric and imperial chain sizes for each gypsy. Based on discussions with SL and after testing a few chain samples my conclusion is the only really critical spec is the number of links per foot.

The pockets in all the gypsies I've looked at appear wide enough to hold links made of different size rod or different link widths with no problem but vary the links per foot more than about 1/2" the chain will probably slip.

[evm1024]

I just found a site with old SL manuals: Instruction Manuals PDF Downloads | Simpson Lawrence Yacht Parts & Spares

I also just read your thread from 2010 which is a good read for chain sizing.

ps

I'm on the went coats of USA and my mother-in-law if from Vladivostok. When we first took her to see the Oregon Pacific Coast she said:

"Yes, it looks the same from the other side"

I guess that for her the Ocean is not bluer on the other side

[botanybay]

Wow, really useful information!!! I am trying to determine what chain size would fit my V2000 which has a chainwheel marked "7" on it.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by evm1024

I just found a site with old SL manuals: Instruction Manuals PDF Downloads | Simpson Lawrence Yacht Parts & Spares

I also just read your thread from 2010 which is a good read for chain sizing.

Thanks. I spent a good bit of time researching chain, chain size, brands, types, etc. Turned out to be a lot more involved than I thought when I decided I needed new chain.

Originally Posted by evm1024

I'm on the went coats of USA and my mother-in-law if from Vladivostok. When we first took her to see the Oregon Pacific Coast she said:

"Yes, it looks the same from the other side"

I guess that for her the Ocean is not bluer on the other side

Sounds like something my father would have said.

[evm1024]

Oh, Also I did a bit or work to figure out what chain would work in my Ideal windless.

It has a gypsy sized for 3/8" BBB and the boat was fitted with 5/16 HT by the prior owner. The 5/16 HT jammed hughly....

I did figure out that 5/16 G70 would feed correctly because as you noted the link pitch is quite close to thet of 3/8 BBB and the G70 is stronger.

See this for a set of web pages describing what I found out.

5/16" G70 chain | Morgan le Fay

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by evm1024

Oh, Also I did a bit or work to figure out what chain would work in my Ideal windless.

It has a gypsy sized for 3/8" BBB and the boat was fitted with 5/16 HT by the prior owner. The 5/16 HT jammed hughly....

I did figure out that 5/16 G70 would feed correctly because as you noted the link pitch is quite close to thet of 3/8 BBB and the G70 is stronger.

See this for a set of web pages describing what I found out.

5/16" G70 chain | Morgan le Fay

Interesting. My boat came with 150' of 3/6 BBB and 25' of 5/16 G40 and boat worked perfectly in the gypsy on my Simpson Lawerence windlass. Haven't tried the G70. If I recall the links/ft on those two were something like 11 and 10.7 so quite close. Maybe the gypsy on the Ideal is designed differently.

[evm1024]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Interesting. My boat came with 150' of 3/6 BBB and 25' of 5/16 G40 and boat worked perfectly in the gypsy on my Simpson Lawerence windlass. Haven't tried the G70. If I recall the links/ft on those two were something like 11 and 10.7 so quite close. Maybe the gypsy on the Ideal is designed differently.

I think that the 5/16 HT was not 5/16 G40. I measured the HT and some G40 from westmarine with different results.

THe chain was actually marked HT....

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by evm1024

I think that the 5/16 HT was not 5/16 G40. I measured the HT and some G40 from westmarine with different results.

THe chain was actually marked HT....

Acco chain specs indicate HT and G43 (their version of G40 if I recall) are the same thing.
https://www.peerlesschain.com/produc...ts_per_page=50

Link inside length of the HT/G43 is 1.03" vs 1.09" for the 3/8" BBB only 0.06" longer per link, not enough I think to cause a problem with most gypsies. Of course this is for Acco chain. Others may differ.