Anchor Rode: Re-Galvanize or Throw Away?

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

How do I know if the 200ft of chain I have is worth re galvanizing or if I should throw it away!!? Need someone with experience to please comment....

[belizesailor]

What kind of chain?

Is it badly corroded or not?

Has it been regalvinized before?

Past use history and age?

Distorted links?

[model 10]

One way to know if it is really worn out is, it is so worn out it no longer fits the gypsy. If it was in that state I would not waste the money. Seriously, if you cut off just one link you can see a cross section and make a decision. It sometimes looks worse than it is.

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

What kind of chain? If you mean size-- I have no idea how measure chain-- sorry-- new to this sorta thing.

Is it badly corroded or not? It has crusty parts in some areas-- looks like 'light' corrosion...

Has it been regalvinized before? I would bet probably not since last owners were delinquents, and ignored basic maintenance.

Past use history and age? Not used in 8 Years...

Distorted links? Nothing distorted at all...

[Andrew Troup]

If it's that old it's not likely to be high-tensile, which can only be regalved safely by the manufacturer of origin.

If it's not visibly worn/distorted/stretched (in the latter case, some links would caliper significantly narrower-waisted, and longer), or deep corrosion pits, I reckon you should be good to go, provided you choose a galvaniser with experience and the right equipment for chain. (otherwise the links will all be stuck together and patches of zinc will pull off, and expose the underlying chain, when you hammer on the chain to free it.

[Nicholson58]

Assume the chain is in OK but needy condition AND its big & heavy enough to be worth replating relative to replacing.

I used these guys.

ArmorGalv | Michigan Metal Coating - Home

This is a franchise so you may find a local shop that does it.

It is not hot dip. its a vapor phase deposition of armored galvanizing. The Navy uses it on chain too.

The chain needs to be stripped first. You may need to find a blaster yurself who can do chain. I found a specialty shop with an iron shot recycling, tumbling blaster to strip my 320 feet of 7/16 G3 for 70 bucks. The replate was not a lot more so it was a good deal.

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

Thank you guys!! Appreciate the help... How do I know what size the existing chain is? Are there ways of measuring it so I know what the hell I have? Feeling super stupid for asking- but I honestly do not know... Thank you in advance!!

[Sailorman Ed]

STUD LINK ANCHOR CHAIN SPECS
check here to find your chain size

[Andrew Troup]

The size of chain is simply the cross sectional diameter of the cylindrical material from which each link is made.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by PUDDLE JUMPER II

What kind of chain? If you mean size-- I have no idea how measure chain-- sorry-- new to this sorta thing.

Is it badly corroded or not? It has crusty parts in some areas-- looks like 'light' corrosion...

Has it been regalvinized before? I would bet probably not since last owners were delinquents, and ignored basic maintenance.

Past use history and age? Not used in 8 Years...

Distorted links? Nothing distorted at all...

Should have used "type" rather than "kind". High Test chain will typically bear a stamp on each link such as "G4". "Proof Coil", which is just good old hardware store grade chain, has none.

Size doesn't matter relative to regalvanizing, except that larger chain could tolerate more corrossion and still be viable. And the regalvanizing process wastes some surface metal so you can only regalvinize so many times (why I asked).

If there has not been significant "wastage" (deep corrosion, original metal gone) then that's good. Check the entire length of chain though. As the saying goes..."only as strong as the weakest link". Especially the chain that has been on the bottom of the chain locker for 8 years.

Speaking of corrossion. Salt or freshwater use of chain?

And most importantly, is the chain you have appropriate for your application? 200' is
adequate length for most anchoring applications, but is it the right size and type? No point in regalvanizing if not. We need to know boat size/type/displacement and whether you have a windlass to answer this question.

[belizesailor]

Good concise explanation of chain types at the link below. Lots of other good chain info on their site too.

http://www.1st-chainsupply.com/aboutgrading.htm

[Sailorman Ed]

Puddle Jumper - if you decide to throw away - please let me know first. I will be happy to take it off your hands. Then you can be sure you have good high quality new chain instead of your current old rusty chain.
Ed

[Nicholson58]

some chain is labeled.