anchor chain joints

[smeaks]

Is it possible to use two lengths of anchor chain joined by a shakle or is this a very bad thing to consider- (Guess whos got two lenghts of anchor chain!)-would jointing using a shackle be acceptable - as the anchor is attached via a shackle?

 

[bluesjunior]

Your can buy a specific shackle for this purpose. I can't remember the name but it has two G shaped half links and a pin. the gap in each G is just wide enough for the chain link. You put the end link of one chain into one half and the end link of the other chain into the other half and then the locking pin marries the two halves together. It is similar to the shackles that mountaineers and abseilors use. You can use an ordinary shackle but the protruding pin could cause you difficulties on your leads.

 

[ridgy]

Shackle would be fine except it will probably jam in the bow roller and not fit down your hawse pipe.

You need a C-link knocked together with a hammer. Some say to weld them but you'll find that rust does an admirable job within a few weeks anyway.

Some folks round these parts reckon they are a weak link (if not the devil's work), which they probably are, but enough people use them without a problem.

 

[Salty John]

You need a connecting link, as Ridgy says. Don't use a lap link because the working load is too low: a connecting link of, say, 1/4" wire diameter will have a working load of 1,200 lbs, whereas the equivalent lap link would be 300 lbs. Try to get one from a supplier that quotes the working load and compare it to the working load of your chain to be sure.

 

[Anonymous]

Shackles are mostly nowhere near as strong as anchor chain or purpose made anchor connectors. Surprisingly, neither are some of those purpose-made joints. Plastimo's excellent catalogue (free) shows the rated loads, so do check!

 

[duncan]

seriously - no tounge in cheek - why bother?

if you have 2 x 100m and want to join them fine but if not just flog the other bits and get one length.

and if it's the former get any bloddy joining link and someone to weld it properly ffs

 

[hylass]

[ QUOTE ]

You need a C-link knocked together with a hammer. Some say to weld them but you'll find that rust does an admirable job within a few weeks anyway.

Some folks round these parts reckon they are a weak link (if not the devil's work), which they probably are, but enough people use them without a problem.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are using a shackle, then take one size bigger than your chain (i.e. a 12 mm shackle for a 10 mm chain) but please, before using any "C" link, check twice the working load..

 

[Mirelle]

Anchor chain joints. Can anyone supply an honest chain joining link?

Well said.

I am another of "those people" who detest the C link things.

Thirty years ago you could get proper chain joining shackles; I suspect Simpson Lawrence supplied them. They are now unavailable, so far as I can tell.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Anchor chain joints. Can anyone supply an honest chain joining link?

I want to add 30m of chain rather than buy all new and am considering a modern C link. Can anyone tell me whether they have ever experienced a failure - themselves or someone well known to them? Do they fail in practice? If I'd bought a link and it failed, causing damage, I'd go for the manufacturer's jugular as, indeed, would the insurance company? So maybe there is not actually a problem in practice?

OR - is it that fewer than 10% of anchoring systems are ever used for more than 'lunch-hook' duty and those who use their anchors seriously tend to avoid jointing systems?

 

[GMac]

Re: Anchor chain joints. Can anyone supply an honest chain joining lin

Sold 100's probably a lot more. Fitted a lot of them. Swapped out old rotten chain with them in it, used them myself - never seen one that worried me (even on the rotten chain) or spoken to anyone who has had an issue with one, getting the correct sizing excluded.

Heard the odd dodgy story about them though but never 1st hand, always "I had a mate who had a ....". I could easily tell more than one of the stories just did not stack up. Most were as possible as "Elvis is alive, he's working at the local carwash and calling himself Trevor".

If you do use one spend the time to get a Crosby or other from a reputable manufacturer. By manufacturer I also mean the country of manufacture. Most know who make generally better gear than who doesn't. Its quite true in this case.