5/16 gypsy and 8mm chain mismatch?

Post #16 is correct. In the good old days many manufacturers used a version of chain and gypsy measurements that were their own. Hence the need for calibrated chain by manufacturer. Nowadays we have DIN and ISO standards for chain and gypsies so that everything fits regardless of maker. It just might be that old 5/16" chain will fit an 8 mm gypsy, but equally it might not, and vice versa.

I realise that this is a 3 year old thread but the OP seems to have revived it.
 
vyv_cox said:
Post #16 is correct. In the good old days many manufacturers used a version of chain and gypsy measurements that were their own. Hence the need for calibrated chain by manufacturer. Nowadays we have DIN and ISO standards for chain and gypsies so that everything fits regardless of maker. It just might be that old 5/16" chain will fit an 8 mm gypsy, but equally it might not, and vice versa.

I realise that this is a 3 year old thread but the OP seems to have revived it.
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And in between times we had exactly the same issue. Solution was new chain. We wanted longer anyway
 
The difference between 8mm and 5/16" is very small but the Lofrans Parts List shows different part numbers for the gypsies for the two sizes of chain.

1720456340416.png

So the answer to the OP's question is - yes.
 
A 5/16 gypsy can be had for the Royale, but it is £279 and I am unlikely to be able to get one free to test. Whereas I should be able to borrow some 8mm chain to wrap round the existing 8mm gypsy.

So I am thinking new chain is probably the answer.

The original chain came with the boat and was probably old then, but I had it regalvanised a decade or so ago. It is still in reasonable condition.

Don't suppose anyone has 30m or so of 8mm chain surplus to requirements?
 
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webcraft said:
A 5/16 gypsy can be had for the Royale, but it is £279 and I am unlikely to be able to get one free to test. Whereas I should be able to borrow some 8mm chain to wrap round the existing 8mm gypsy.

So I am thinking new chain is probably the answer.

The original chain came with the boat and was probably old then, but I had it regalvanised a decade or so ago. It is still in reasonable condition.

Don't suppose anyone has 30m or so of 8mm chain surplus to requirements?
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Many windlass will be retired to the skip because the motor is old, casing badly corroded and the gear box is worn. The gypsy might be quite serviceable - but it goes into the skip and on to landfill. The copper in the motor also goes to land fill.

Its a pity the gypsies cannot be retrieved and placed on some form of data base.

The issue with gypsies comes up frequently and they are extortionate. It would be nice to think they could have a second chance. They are not particularly cheap to make and are both shaft diameter specific and chain specific. When we chose to change gypsies when we down sized chain a new gypsy was quoted at Stg400. The windlass was 20 years old - we bought a new windlass.

Dreams are free

Jonathan
 
Good idea to borrow a length of 8 mm from someone to see if it works on your gypsy.

Presuming it works ok with 8mm I would spend money on chain rather than on a gypsy as 8 mm is widely available should you need more in future .

Im certain your chain stripper being 3 mm off position wont make any difference.
 
webcraft said:
A 5/16 gypsy can be had for the Royale, but it is £279 and I am unlikely to be able to get one free to test. Whereas I should be able to borrow some 8mm chain to wrap round the existing 8mm gypsy.

So I am thinking new chain is probably the answer.

The original chain came with the boat and was probably old then, but I had it regalvanised a decade or so ago. It is still in reasonable condition.

Don't suppose anyone has 30m or so of 8mm chain surplus to requirements?
Click to expand...
You could try end-for-ending your chain (assuming it hasn't already been done) to utilise the least worn/unworn part, and then see there's any improvement.
 
graham said:
Good idea to borrow a length of 8 mm from someone to see if it works on your gypsy.

Presuming it works ok with 8mm I would spend money on chain rather than on a gypsy as 8 mm is widely available should you need more in future .

Im certain your chain stripper being 3 mm off position wont make any difference.
Click to expand...

Thanks Graham,

I agree totally with this.

- W
 
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