Visit our Popular Forums

chouliha · 28-09-2017, 09:43

Finally after 32 years of using the same chain (re galvanized 4x's) we are in a location that does not have an option for galvanizing. Will ship a barrel down to French Polynesia and split it with a friend.

So we have been researching new chain (barrel) online and found that
Gr 40 Windlass Anchor Chain

seems to be the most cost effective as it includes free shipping.

Does anyone have any good suggestions where to get a good price on Acco chain? Checked shipping via Defender to L A and its $400+

Thank you

Chuck
Jacaranda
Mo'orea

Steve Bedford · 29-09-2017, 04:58

1st Chain Supply has always provided excellent pricing and quality. Free shipping in US. I have used them for my personal boat and professionally recommended them to our customers.

Defender is less expensive per foot for the same chain but the added shipping charges makes them slightly higher than 1st Chain Supply. I would not hesitate using Defender as well.

Steve

Gr 40 Windlass Anchor Chain

Captain Bill · 29-09-2017, 05:09

My last ACCO chain started rusting in 3 months and was totally shot in three years. Never again. I replaced it with Titan chain from CMP.

UNCIVILIZED · 29-09-2017, 05:56

It's worth investigating the "free shipping" part, as I think that the shipping is only free if the delivery addres is within the lower 48 (states). Otherwise, getting it from the US to your location could easily cost more than the chain itself. Not to mention import fees & tarriffs, etc.

TacomaSailor · 29-09-2017, 05:59

Tacoma Screw Products, Inc.

Grade 43 $2.39/ foot 5/16" HT

Half the price of anywhere else - I've had 700-feet of it for 17-years

**GordMay** · 29-09-2017, 06:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

It's worth investigating the "free shipping" part, as I think that the shipping is only free if the delivery addres is within the lower 48 (states). Otherwise, getting it from the US to your location could easily cost more than the chain itself. Not to mention import fees & tarriffs, etc.

Indeed.
1st Chain Supply “Free Shipping” (Contiguous Lower 48 US states only)
➥ Freight Allowance

UNCIVILIZED · 29-09-2017, 06:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Bill

My last ACCO chain started rusting in 3 months and was totally shot in three years. Never again. I replaced it with Titan chain from CMP.

FWIW another member here routinely rinses their chain with fresh water, & then sprays it with lanolin. Which evidently has kept it quite rust free for an extended period of time. Can't hurt to try it methinks.

skipgundlach · 29-09-2017, 08:30

Strictly hearsay, and therefore suspect, but...

I think I recall lots of complaints about ACCO chain of late (say, the last 5 years).

Indeed, I replaced our chain with half a barrel of Acco G4 in January 2013. I had to end-for-end it after a cumulative less-than-2 years (time on the dock not counted; we had LOTS of repairs demanding our normally-never dock presence, and we were on a mooring ball FAR too much as well) in the water, as it was staining horribly...

Cheechako · 29-09-2017, 08:49

Fisheries Supply (Seattle /west coast) may help the shipping a bit. (?) They have Cambell chain which I've had excellent results with in the past.

Locquatious · 29-09-2017, 13:32

Though it may be hard to do, ask for a foot of cut chain before purchasing. Test the foot for proper fit on your windlass gypsy.

We purchased what the vendor said was 3/8" chain. But it was actually 10mm. Being newbies, we thought it was a worn gypsy that caused the problem. Maxwell no longer had the mold for a replacement gypsy. We ended up buying a new windlass, and when doing so, we sent Maxwell a foot of our chain ensuring they would provide the proper gypsy.

Some will cringe to hear it. but we are still using that 15yr old 316L chain. There are advantages other than no rust on deck. When stainless chain goes into locker, being slippery, it does not develop a high pile (i.e. the angle of repose is low). That means the chain is more "last-in...first-out".

Galvanized chain has higher friction and develops a higher chain pile in the locker. During anchor haul, the pile builds up and then the pile falls over. Then the new chain coming into the locker piles on top of much earlier hauled chain. This may happen several times. When the anchor is redeployed, portions of the chain are sometimes pulled-up almost as a knotted-ball and jam below the hose pipe. This forces someone to go down below to untangle the chain.

Now that person is handling heavy chain in a precarious position when the chain might detangle and drop suddenly. Now someone else is struggling with a dragging anchor in a crowded anchorage. And if you are single-handing (or dealing with an equivalent crew), everything just became four times worse.

Jetx · 29-09-2017, 13:59

Might also try Discount Marine Supply. Excellent pricing, and I believe free ground shipping in the lower 48.

Paul L · 29-09-2017, 14:52

Chuck,
I would get a quote from Chains Ropes and Anchors | Chains Ropes and Anchors in Auckland for Maggi chain. They understand SP shipping and cruisers. We have about a year on our Maggi g40 and it seems to have much better galvanizing than our prior Acco.

KP44 · 29-09-2017, 18:16

I bought a barrel of 5/16" G4 (high test) about 10 years ago and I think it was just under 2$US per foot. I had it delivered in 3 pieces, as one 400', one 200', and one 50'. That gives me 2 all-chain rodes and a 50' piece if I need to put 2 anchors on the same rode or put out the storm parachute.
I don't know what shipping will cost to the Society Islands but I guess if you need it now, you need it now. I don't know if the guy still sells chain but you could try. PM me if you want his contact info.