Anchor Chain

[Ip485]

I am interested to know whether to replace my anchor chain?


I have 100 metres of chain with a 56KG Rocnar, and the IP is about 23 tons.


The chain looks in reasonable condition but there is some rust and some loss of the galvanising.



What to look for to determine whether the chain should really be replaced?


Is the extra cost of stainless chain worth while?

[GordMay]

Inspect anchor chains and attachments for wear, distortion or other damage. Make a link-by-link inspection and discard if:
a) Wear exceeds 12% of original link diameter. I prefer < 10% wear.
b) Cut, nicked, cracked, gouged, burned, weld splattered, or corrosion pitted.
c) Deformed, twisted or bent chain links or components.
d) Stretched. Links tend to close up and get longer.

[noelex 77]

Gord has given you a great breakdown.

If you are anchoring reguarly it does not take long to deteriorate from the state you have descibed to where it starts making a mess. Chain is not always easy to replace, as the weight makes transport difficult so it would be sensible to start planning even if the current loss is less than 10%.

If there has been little loss of thickness, regalvanising the chain is another option, but sadly the number of companies that offer this service is diminishing.

Stainless steel chain can have a much longer life, but there are cases of premature corrosion with 316 chain so it really needs to be one of the more exotic stainless steels such as one of the duplex range. These are available, but are very expensive.

[Sailmonkey]

Look around for galvanizes that are willing to do small batches of chain, much cheaper than new if your links are in good shape

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Look around for galvanizes that are willing to do small batches of chain, much cheaper than new if your links are in good shape

Indeed.
Re-galvanizing renews a chain aesthetically, and helps to prevent further deterioration, but will not replace lost structural thickness (wear).

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Look around for galvanizes that are willing to do small batches of chain, much cheaper than new if your links are in good shape

Galvanizers not galvanizes......auto correct makes me sound like a bumbling idiot at times....