Can I extend my anchor chain?

[AFKASAP]

Hi there,

I don't have enough anchor chain. I would like to add additional chain to my existing chain. I have googled some chain links for connecting two chains but some say they are only for temporary use. I need it to run though the anchor winch like the rest of the chain.

My concern obviously relates to the possibility that the connector link will be a week point.

[nigel1]

The only one I know of is the Crosby Joining Link (C Link), see this article

https://coxengineering.sharepoint.com/Pages/Clinks.aspx.

I have a hinged link in mine (made by Gunnebo). Windlass stuggles a bit with this, but it does not often go over the windlass, and if it has to, a firm pull on the chain by hand helps it over the gypsy.

[SailFastTri]

Evans Estarzinger uses a good technique and I trust his judgement and experience as a circumnavigator who has spent a lot of time in high latitudes. One of his posts about it: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post610182

[Terra Nova]

Sell the too-short chain (or use it with rope for a spare) and replace with one piece the correct length.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

Evans Estarzinger uses a good technique . One of his posts about it: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post610182

I wonder what kind of knots he used?

[roverhi]

Dyneema or other high tech line can be used to tie chain together. The line is very resistant to chafe and stronger than the chain. Would want to use several separate pieces of line to have a backup but others have reported it works fine though would carefully inspect before each use.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Dyneema or other high tech line can be used to tie chain together. The line is very resistant to chafe and stronger than the chain. Would want to use several separate pieces of line to have a backup but others have reported it works fine though would carefully inspect before each use.

hi--You have made many excellent, informative, and well thought out posts, here. This isn't one of them.

[Cheechako]

You don't say if you have a windlass but assume with a 40 footer you do. How much chain do you currently have? I would use Estarzingers advice, or better yet, get new chain the length you want, keep the old for other purposes.
But really we need to know:
-how much you have
-how much you want to end up with.

[roverhi]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

hi--You have made many excellent, informative, and well thought out posts, here. This isn't one of them.

Better tell that to Evan Starsinger. He's got more miles of cruising behind him than half the list combined. Wear on the line run through the chain links is minimal. Have used Nylon braid run through the links of chain on my mooring lines forever and have seen very little wear. Do redo the bowlines every couple of years to change the wear point but thats more for my piece of mind than actual need. These new synthetic lines are way way more resistant to chafe than nylon. As I said, would want to inspect the join on each use of the chain but the line is probably safer to use than a standard 'C' link. With attention to length of the line in the join, should go through the chain gypsy without a hiccup.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Better tell that to Evan Starsinger. He's got more miles of cruising behind him than half the list combined...

I don't know Evan. And he may have more miles under him than all the rest of this board. But, if he were to say that it is better to link short pieces of chain together, rather than have one piece, I would still say he's FOS.

[Cheechako]

I don't think anyone said it is BETTER. But yes it is possible and does work.

[Matt Johnson]

We used a Crosby chain link on our 5/16" g4 without issue. I also ran a 1/4" dyneema soft shackle (extra long) threading it through the chain on either side of the splice. With it threaded through, it wasn't an issue with the windlass, but the single loop I tried jammed.

Matt

[AFKASAP]

Too those who asked about how much I have, I have 40m and want 75m

Beneteau Oceanis 40 - 2008
Netherlands

[Jim Cate]

This has been thrashed out on CF many times. If you are using G-30 or G-40 grade chain there are joining links that are as strong as the base chain, and that will go through the gypsy without a bobble. Evans, IIRC uses such links, BACKED UP by a Dyneema lashing... not just the Dyneema on its own.

And FWIW, we have had such joining links in our chain for many years and thousands of days on the hook. I don't loose sleep over that.

Jim

[colemj]

We too have used joining C-links in the past with no problem. The best quality ones are still very inexpensive, so one can just cut it out every year and replace it, if that is a concern.

Please note that the person responding to the negative here has only stated his opinion, has no experience actually using these, and provides no rationale why not to do this. He demands to be treated as an expert without doing any of the work to earn that. He is infamous on this forum for this.

In contrast, you have also been shown a well-thought out and theoretical treatise for using them, as well as several people's years of experience in practice.

It is your choice which to pay attention to.

Mark