Anchor Chain Castling and Chain Twisting

[MJH]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Chain locker made from a 12” diameter sewer pipe solves all problems, as does a cone. If you don’t have a flat bottom then build a cone that fits.

The sewer pipe is easiest as long as you have the vertical space.

About chain twist: first, replace the swivel. Second, do not put the boat forward with the windlass. Haul in a bit of chain to lift it from the seabed, stop and wait and the catenary will pull the boat forward. Repeat and you will find the boat accelerates and at some point you can take chain in at full speed without it ever becoming taut, so it will stay in the chain groove of the roller.

I can envision how the sewer pipe would work...chain can't fall over.

However, once in place (and this depends on how it is installed and how high) if you get a badly twisted or hockled chain that won't pass through the hawsepipe you would have to remove the pipe to get access to the chain before you could fix it, maybe having to cut open the sewer pipe.

I would like to hear from those that use sewer pipe.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by MJH

I can envision how the sewer pipe would work...chain can't fall over.

However, once in place (and this depends on how it is installed and how high) if you get a badly twisted or hockled chain that won't pass through the hawsepipe you would have to remove the pipe to get access to the chain before you could fix it, maybe having to cut open the sewer pipe.

I would like to hear from those that use sewer pipe.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

Belowdecks, attach a short piece of exhaust hose to the hawsepipe of the windlass. This keeps trouble away from the windlass and prevents damage.

Between the bottom of the exhaust hose and the top of the sewer pipe, keep enough room so you can pull the chain out.

Instead of a sewer pipe, you can also use a plywood box covered with fiberglass of square or rectangular shape with similar size. Mine is like that, 12” long and 10” wide. I estimate it is 5’ high and I can fit 250’ of 3/8” chain in there.

[Cynara]

We used PVC PIPE to get the chain out of the bow

[zboss]

On a very calm day go out to "500" (whatever works for you) feet of water, drop the anchor down to the bitter end (make sure its secured to the chain locker) and let the chain and anchor untwist and bring it back in. Won't help with the castling but will untwist the chain.

[hpeer]

I tie on a snubbed, 1/2" Nylon 3 strand. This twists the chain.

Now when I go to pick up the anchor I pull in the first 20' or so with the snubber still on.

Just now thinking about this I would bet that each tine I do that I gèt some twist.