Anchor chain dealers

billyfish

billyfish

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Where is the most cost effective place to get anchor chain ? Need 30mt 8mm. Bit baffled by all the different grades it needs to go round a manual anchorman windless and not rust to quickly oh yes and not break . I guess a lot comes from China and I don't have a lot of faith in their steel production . I would get stainless but that's silly money. Or is it more cost effective over the years.
 
Don't knock Chinese production - reports of chain failure, breaking, have been non existent for years - and as you say - much comes from China. Check Vyv Cox' website - he tested Chinese chain it was as good as you can get. I have tested Chinese chain - I agree with Vyv. Some 'Chinese' chain is made by CMP, under their Titan brand - why would you question their chain production in China but not question the quality of their Rocna and Vulcan anchors - made on the same site. Lewmar make their Delta, CQR etc anchors in China (maybe their chain comes from China as well?). Lofrans have entered the market with their 'own' branded chain - do you honestly believe they invested in a new production line in Europe to make chain - my belief is - it comes from China (but I may do them a grievous disservice - for which I apologise).

There have been, possibly trolling, complaints of chain premature corrosion - the focus has been on European manufacture - not China.

Undoubtedly some chain does come from China that maybe of questionable quality (there are hundreds of chain makers in China and lots of nefarious companies around the world trying to make a fast buck) - buy from someone who has a reputation to protect. If its dirt cheap - there maybe a reason.

Chain 'quality' is very simple. The strength of the chain is contingent on the steel wire used. The 2 common wire strengths used are G30 and G40, these represent the tensile strength of the wire, 300 Mpa and 400 Mpa. When the chain is made the weld should always be stronger than the wire - so when it breaks it breaks in the wire - not the weld. There is 'another' quality G70, the strength of which is achieved by using 'special' alloys and then quench and tempering the finished product. I'm not aware that G70 galvanised chain is available from China but Jimmy Green sell an Italian product and you can source a USA product made by Peerless (stocked in Europe). But check the UTS, historically the US G70 was actually around a G55 strength. Referring to Vyv's website, again - he has a neat simple test for galvanising quality.

Chain is cheap as chips - don't try to cut corners - its what secures you, your crew and your yacht safely overnight. If you look after your chain it should give you around 1,500 nights at anchor.

Keep your chain clean, wash with fresh water etc etc

Know how: Ground Tackle

Historically, for many decades, most Europeans, Americans and Antipodeans used a G30 quality. There were few cases of chain failure that could be attributed to the G30 chain being 'understrength'. There is a move recently to replacing G30 with G40. I think in terms of required strength this is totally unnecessary - unless it does not cost much more - maybe you will sleep better knowing you spent more money than necessary. Personally I think spending the same funds on a decent malt whisky supply is a better investment.

For unknown reasons most Chinese chain of a G30 quality has been near a G40 strength (maybe because the Chinese made a lot of G40 quality steel for construction purposes). This might have changed and their G30 has reduced to closer to a G30 specification.

There is no point in having (what you think is) decent chain if you do not buy compatible shackles - buy Crosby G209a shackles (available from Tecni in the UK).

Unless you buy duplex stainless chain (Cromox brand) then a 316 quality will not be as good as a galvanised G30 quality - in terms of strength.


I'm Oz based - but I understand Hackett no longer make their own anchor chain. I stand to be corrected.

Take care, stay safe

Jonathan
 
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billyfish said:
Where is the most cost effective place to get anchor chain ? Need 30mt 8mm. Bit baffled by all the different grades it needs to go round a manual anchorman windless and not rust to quickly oh yes and not break . I guess a lot comes from China and I don't have a lot of faith in their steel production . I would get stainless but that's silly money. Or is it more cost effective over the years.
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In general most anchor chain sold is fit for purpose and galvanised. With some chain the quality of the galvanising may be more superior to others however whichever should not be a problem . One thing that professionals on ships/oil rigs have been known to do to extend chain life is to end for end from time to time to extend the life otherwise all the windlass wear is at one end so depending of how much use there is, it is something to consider. I would also request Calibrated Chain for use on a windlass if not buying locally or take my gypsy to the chandlers and get stock if it seems OK
Nothing special about Calibrated Chain other than the fact it has been sized every 5 links or so. It might cost a bit more.
 
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I'd second Bilgediver's post - do check that your existing chain is to current size standards. Take chain and gypsy to your chandler (or chain source) and satisfy in your own mind that the new chain will fit. The chain required for the gypsy should be engraved or embossed or cast into part of the gypsy (often on one of the two internal faces). Just because it looks like 8mm does not mean it IS 8mm. Current metric chain is all to the same size specification and I'm sorry I'm to young to know what happened previously. But imperial 5/16th" chain looks like 8mm but has a different link size and there are 3 or 4 different Imperial 5/16th" link sizes!

If you are now even more confused - apologies - just ask for clarification!

Jonathan
 
There is no substitute to getting a length, say a metre, of the chain you intend to buy and trying it on your gypsy. I had a new Lewmar 8mm windlass fitted a few years back and went to E.Y.E. to order chain. After some discussion with them I settled on a particular type which they said would fit. When I loaded it on the boat I found that it did not suit the gypsy, it was supposedly calibrated 8mm chain but it jumped every few links, and that was without any load. I took it back and they were very apologetic and gave me a short length of another calibrated 8mm chain to try. This was fine and they were happy to supply that at no extra cost although it was a slightly more expensive chain.
If you are local, then I would strongly recommend E.Y.E. I have always found them helpful and good value.
 
tjbrace said:
Boat Gear Direct aka Eye Marine near Levington Suffolk
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I bought 40 metres of calibrated 10mm chain from Boat Gear Direct two years ago: delivered promptly on small pallet, fitted my windlass, so far the galvanising looks good and cost not that much different from sending old chain off for regalvanising once transports costs added.
 
Very comprehensive thanks all. Got what I wanted in a clearance at Jimmy Greens even with delivery 1/2 the price of local and made in Italy...I hope.
 
Neeves said:
Don't knock Chinese production - reports of chain failure, breaking, have been non existent for years - and as you say - much comes from China.
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May last year I bought 50m of 8mm chain from a respected and large chain of chandlers. Five weeks later and after six anchorages I discovered a broken link at the weld, the link was distorted sufficiently that the next link could be pulled free.
It does happen. The supplier refunded the cost of the chain and apologised, not that they were responsible for the breakage.
I bought a replacement from Jimmy Green that was proof tested, I like a peaceful night's sleep when at anchor.
 
Ado said:
May last year I bought 50m of 8mm chain from a respected and large chain of chandlers. Five weeks later and after six anchorages I discovered a broken link at the weld, the link was distorted sufficiently that the next link could be pulled free.
It does happen. The supplier refunded the cost of the chain and apologised, not that they were responsible for the breakage.
I bought a replacement from Jimmy Green that was proof tested, I like a peaceful night's sleep when at anchor.
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I note you are a new member.

Your chain failed - but you bought from a 'large chain of chandlers' but you don't mention which 'large chain of chandlers'.

Why not?

There a few chain's of chandlers, there are also chain suppliers - but we have a choice, Jimmy Green, CMP, Lewmar et al. We need to know chandlers that accept their responsibility (and replace/refund with out question) and chandlers that maybe don't treat/test their product rigorously.


Thank you for posting

Tell us, allow us to make the decision that secures our 2 second largest financial investment, our children, our crew.

Did you keep the chain, did you take any pictures.....

Jonathan
 
Neeves said:
I note you are a new member.

Your chain failed - but you bought from a 'large chain of chandlers' but you don't mention which 'large chain of chandlers'.

Why not?

There a few chain's of chandlers, there are also chain suppliers - but we have a choice, Jimmy Green, CMP, Lewmar et al. We need to know chandlers that accept their responsibility (and replace/refund with out question) and chandlers that maybe don't treat/test their product rigorously.


Thank you for posting

Tell us, allow us to make the decision that secures our 2 second largest financial investment, our children, our crew.

Did you keep the chain, did you take any pictures.....

Jonathan
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I've been responding to ybm forums for many years having been sailing for over 60, I've just changed my forum name.
I don't intend to name the chandlers. As I pointed out I dont hold the chandlers responsible, I assume all chain suppliers purchase chain in bulk mostly from the far east. If anyone is responsible it's me for not buying proof tested chain in the first place.
The original chain was returned and yes I've photos.
 
Its not your fault. The chandler is meant to sell product that is fit for purpose - its is they that should check not you. In the event of a serious loss I am sure the chandler would be found at fault - not you.

Most chain, including that from China, is proof tested as it is made - the modern machines that many Chinese chain makers use, sourced in Germany, Proof Test continuously as part of the process. As in many industries there will still be cowboys - identified as they offer bargains. Most chains of chandlers will buy from the same source, whom they have found to be reliable.

It would be unusual for a batch of chain, a batch can be 3,000m, to have one questionable weld. There may be other faulty welds that have not yet manifested themselves. The chandler should have contacted each of the customers who were supplied chain from the batch and made a recall. The fact they know they have sourced a faulty batch and possibly have not issued a recall does not sound very professional, to me. In the absence of a recall they are hoping to be lucky - naming the chandler and being a bit more precise on the purchase, chain size, would allow other forum members who bought at a similar time of the same size opportunity to check their chain.

By protecting the chandler you may be putting members here at risk - I hope you, and the chandler, are lucky.

If I had chain from the same chandler, bought at the same time of the same size - I'd want it changed. The chandler suffers no loss as they claim, and rightly so, off the chain maker.


I buy chain, high tensile chain (G100), from China. Its the raw material I use to have coated by a different galvanising process. I know where it is made, I have a batch number and a test certificate from the Chinese manufacturer. I have the chain re-tested here (tested to break not the less rigorous Proof Tests), in Australia, and I have it retested after galvanising. The chain I process is generally 6mm or 8mm and I've been buying from the same source for years. As part of my process I check galvanising thickness every 10m (thickness is a factor in galvanising life) - which means each link is, crudely, hand checked - before galvanising (I usually try to involve the eventual customer as its 'their' chain and handling 100m of 8mm chain is hard work!)


Jonathan
 
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Ado said:
I've been responding to ybm forums for many years having been sailing for over 60, I've just changed my forum name.
I don't intend to name the chandlers. As I pointed out I dont hold the chandlers responsible, I assume all chain suppliers purchase chain in bulk mostly from the far east. If anyone is responsible it's me for not buying proof tested chain in the first place.
The original chain was returned and yes I've photos.
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In law it is the chandler's responsibility to replace the defective chain, so they did the right thing, and no doubt will be able to return the defective chain to their supplier.
 
Neeves said:
Personally I think spending the same funds on a decent malt whisky supply is a better investment.
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I do believe it's time for a rip-roaring argument, in here, about the best seagoing single malt.

Let me throw my hat in the ring by proferring Lagavulin 16.
 
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