Anchor Chain Replacement

[cata2200]

Hello world!

I'm newbie on this forum, sorry if I'm doing mistakes with this post.
I would like to know the general rule of replacement of anchor chain (if any). It is there any recommendation / law on this matter?

Thanks and wishing you a great year, full of enjoyable sailings
Cata

[s/vfootloose]

Welcome aboard. What type info are you looking for? Size,type, when to replace?

[Hudson Force]

I think the schedule and manner of replacement depends on the use of the chain. For example, although I keep about 250' of chain, I most often anchor in ca 10' depths that are common in Florida and the Bahamas. This means that I have far more corrosion nearer my anchor, so I usually buy a shot of about 50' and add it to the bitter end after cutting off a length nearer my anchor. I connect lengths of chain with Crosby schackles and lock wire their pins. They don't ride as smoothly over my chain gypsy, but all the proper sized connector links I've tried corrode at twice the rate of my chain,- of course they can be inexpensive to replace. I have an open gypsy on a manual horizontal windlass, so I can do this. Many electric windlasses will jam with these schackles. If you replace segments of chain in a schedule like this, you will be able to purchase lengths that can be shipped at a 100lb rate. This gives you a much wider shopping and delivery range. I don't regalvanize, paint, or chemically treat (ospho) my chain, but some do.

[Play Actor]

We spend 365 days a year at anchor in the Eastern Caribbean. We have to replace our chain every 2 to 3 years. The galvanizing wears off, and the chain gets rusty, but more compelling is the actual wear of the links, caused by their working in the coarse coral sand. This actually wears away the two parts of the links that touch one another, and the chain elongates to the point where it won't run through the gypsy. It's not hard to tell when it's time to replace it, and regalvanizing wouldn't solve the problem. Anchor chain is a consumable item on a full time cruising boat.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, cata2200.

Acco chain has a couple of good advisories on chain:
➥ Cautions & Warnings, Safety Guidelines, Temperature & Chain, Table of Wear
➥ Cautions & Warnings, Safety Guidelines, Temperature & Chain, Table of Wear

The NACM has some standards on minimum chain thickness on page 13
➥ http://www.nacm.info/Downloads/NACM_Welded.pdf