Anchor Chain Swivel

[tjbrace]

Which way round please? One end is cut off flat the other is rounded off. So which end fixes to the anchor and which to the chain.
TIA .

 

[Ladybirdgaffcutter]

Have you tried fitting it, because often it's only possible one way round anyway.

 

[Graham376]

It's best fitted with 3 links of chain between the swivel and anchor to avoid side loads on the swivel.

 

[NormanS]

Don't fit the jaws direct on to the anchor, or better still, don't fit a swivel at all. What exactly do you expect a swivel to achieve?

 

[noelex]

It's best fitted with 3 links of chain between the swivel and anchor to avoid side loads on the swivel.

+1 this is the best solution.
Most swivels are not very strong with side loading and this method of attachment avoids this problem

 

[vyv_cox]

+1 this is the best solution.
Most swivels are not very strong with side loading and this method of attachment avoids this problem

Full details of the reasoning for the three links on the website.
As has been suggested, a swivel is not compulsory, if you don't need one don't fit one. However, when needed they are very useful indeed.

 

[tjbrace]

Full details of the reasoning for the three links on the website.
As has been suggested, a swivel is not compulsory, if you don't need one don't fit one. However, when needed they are very useful indeed.

I will retain the swivel but add the chain links as advised

 

[tjbrace]

Don't fit the jaws direct on to the anchor, or better still, don't fit a swivel at all. What exactly do you expect a swivel to achieve?

Anchor came in upside down, swivel allowed it to reorientate

 

[tjbrace]

Have you tried fitting it, because often it's only possible one way round anyway.

Yes, it fits both ways.

 

[tjbrace]

Thanks for all of the advice.

 

[NormanS]

Anchor came in upside down, swivel allowed it to reorientate

There are better ways of achieving that.

 

[Neeves]

Unless you buy a Kong or Ultra swivel then most swivels become the weak link in your rode. They do not untwist twist in the chain under water and as NormanS says - there are better way to turn an anchor than use a swivel at the bow roller.

The Boomerang, in common with anchors is copied from similar designs and leans heavily on work done by NormanS

http://www.mysailing.com.au/cruising/how-to-boomerang-your-anchor-right-back-at-you

Swivels are crude engineering at best and depend on some form of attachment within the barrel. You cannot see how the device is joined together but often it is a cheap weld and it fails.

Swivels can be useful if you have a heavy anchor, and cannot turn it with a broom handle at the bow roller - but swivels are only useful if they are good quality - and most are absolute rubbish. Most people buy cheap swivels - and its false economy - this is one application where you get what you pay for and many learn the hard way.

Speak to Geoff at Knox Anchor/Highland Galvanisers - he might make you a boomerang if you cannot make one yourself.

I do not hear of chain failure any more, or for the last 15 years. I only hear of cheap stainless swivel failure and and unrated shackle failure.


Its easier to fool people than convince them they have been fooled - until their swivel fails (and then it a bit late, at best you only lose your anchor - at worst you lose your yacht.

But you are the skipper, its your anchor yacht, your yacht, your family - why take a risk for a Stg20 swivel?

Jonathan

 

[moomba]

Unless you buy a Kong or Ultra swivel then most swivels become the weak link in your rode. They do not untwist twist in the chain under water and as NormanS says - there are better way to turn an anchor than use a swivel at the bow roller.

The Boomerang, in common with anchors is copied from similar designs and leans heavily on work done by NormanS

http://www.mysailing.com.au/cruising/how-to-boomerang-your-anchor-right-back-at-you

Swivels are crude engineering at best and depend on some form of attachment within the barrel. You cannot see how the device is joined together but often it is a cheap weld and it fails.

Swivels can be useful if you have a heavy anchor, and cannot turn it with a broom handle at the bow roller - but swivels are only useful if they are good quality - and most are absolute rubbish. Most people buy cheap swivels - and its false economy - this is one application where you get what you pay for and many learn the hard way.

Speak to Geoff at Knox Anchor/Highland Galvanisers - he might make you a boomerang if you cannot make one yourself.

I do not hear of chain failure any more, or for the last 15 years. I only hear of cheap stainless swivel failure and and unrated shackle failure.


Its easier to fool people than convince them they have been fooled - until their swivel fails (and then it a bit late, at best you only lose your anchor - at worst you lose your yacht.

But you are the skipper, its your anchor yacht, your yacht, your family - why take a risk for a Stg20 swivel?

Jonathan

Sage advice , :encouragement: after researching this endlessly I went for a KONG which seems to have great feed back , and yes I put chain on it , I got mine from JimmyGreen who also puts the chain on for you .
No affiliation

 

[Neeves]

For anyone interested in the various mechanisms of swivel failure, and there are a surprising number of potential weaknesses, try this:

https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_57/features/Anchor-Swivels-Caution-Required_11797-1.html

Vyv I think has a few more mechanisms, 2 of which he has experienced personally - and statistically this should send a chill down any users spine.

Jonathan

 

[KellysEye]

We were anchored in a bay in Greece when the wind reversed and picked up to the extent that three charter boatss hit the shore they all had swivels.

 

[NormanS]

We were anchored in a bay in Greece when the wind reversed and picked up to the extent that three charter boatss hit the shore they all had swivels.

 

[vyv_cox]

Vyv I think has a few more mechanisms, 2 of which he has experienced personally - and statistically this should send a chill down any users spine.

Jonathan

There are some on the anchoring pages of the website. It was after experiencing one of these that I came up with the three chain links idea, now widely used after it appeared in YM.

 

[vyv_cox]

We were anchored in a bay in Greece when the wind reversed and picked up to the extent that three charter boatss hit the shore they all had swivels.

I have been anchored in bays in Greece many times when the wind reversed and picked up. I didn't hit the shore and I always use a swivel.

 

[Neeves]

There are some on the anchoring pages of the website. It was after experiencing one of these that I came up with the three chain links idea, now widely used after it appeared in YM.

Well done Vyv,

I confess I had no idea where the idea originated (and I used it on my Boomerang - unwittingly not knowing, nor (obviously) acknowledging). Sadly your experience is common place.

Jonathan

 

[NormanS]

My "bent link" aka boomerang/ banana etc, is shackled direct to the anchor. Two shackles instead of three.