Anchor Swivel

[srah1953]

I'd like to get views on whether an anchor swivel is desirable / essential / not really necessary for an all chain rode?
Many thanks

 

[Spi D]

What anchor type?

Plough types need to be turned right by -

... a self-correcting swivel especially designed for asymmetric anchors

 

[srah1953]

What anchor type?

Plough types need to be turned right by -

Delta, which is of course a plough.

 

[srm]

Always had all chain on my main anchor and never used a swivel in over 35 years of cruising. A numer of years ago YM ran tests that showed they could be significantly weaker than a shackle when subject to side loads as boat swung. Simply bring the anchor slowly into its housing/roller so that it can align itself. Maximum anchor size I used regularly was a 30kg genuine Bruce; currently use 25kg Rokna and see no point in introducing a weak link into the system.

However, you will find there are people who regard them as essential, perhaps because they recover the anchor from the cockpit and can not see what is happening at the working end.

 

[alahol2]

Well we use all chain on a Delta, no swivel, so definitely not essential. It may be more desirable if you have a windlass.

 

[NormanS]

It's whatever floats your boat. A swivel is absolutely neccessary if you habitually sail in treacle. If like most, your boat floats on water, you don't need a swivel.

 

[John100156]

Never used a swivel, just have a marker so I know when she breaks the surface then slowly nudge her up, my Delta has never twisted, on my last boat a Targa-34 or my current boat a Sealine F43. Not knocking them, but if it ain't broke don't try to fix it move onto to the next job....

 

[vyv_cox]

I wrote the YM article. All the data is on my website. Far from being a weak link, a decent swivel can be considerably stronger than the chain.

The answer to the question is: if you don't find you need a swivel then don't use one. My windlass manufacturer recommends that one be used and I find that my chain twists badly without one. This year I intend trying without mine to find out whether it is strictly necessary.

 

[NormanS]

I made up a bent link which, as soon as it comes up to the bow roller, automatically ensures that the anchor is turned the correct way. I do have the slight advantage of the roller being extended out from the stem.

 

[srah1953]

Excellent. Thank you all.

 

[J Neeves]

If you were to decide to use a swivel (buy a reputable one) - go to Vyv's link he has an excellent illustration of how to and how not to introduce the device into the rode.

Our chain twists (but not as much as Vyv's), we do not use one - however many twists we get they do not influence the performance of the anchor nor its retrieval on the bow roller (though I pull in the last 0.5m by hand as I do not like the shackle hitting the bow roller).

Jonathan

 

[Andrew G]

Slight drift but what do people think about a groove in the roller to reduce chain twist?
My problem with twisted chain is not retrieval but deployment - if twisted it gets stuck in the hawser/gypsie. Andrew

 

[Hadenough]

Genuine question. Why have a swivel? To present the anchor to the bow roller at the right attitude or to prevent tide changes twisting the chain? Or both?

 

[noelex]

For most boats the swivel is unnecessary.

If you are going to use one add a few links of chain between the swivel and anchor. This removes the side loading on the swivel and the anchor shank.
This approach does require a long distance between the end of the anchor shank and the windlass (or chain stopper) which not all boats can accommodate.

If you do anchor without a swivel be careful anchoring for a long time in conditions where the boat swings the same way with shifting currents and/or wind.
The chain can get wound up and when retrieved this twist is compressed into the last bit of the chain. This can make retrieval a real pain.

I have only hit this problem twice in the last 6 years. With about 2,000 nights at anchor in this time it is not a common problem

 

[Seajet]

I don't know what sort of bionic swivels Vyv Cox is using, but every failed mooring chain I have ever seen - quite a few - failed at the swivel, definitely the weakest link in those ( mostly Chichester Conservancy approved method ) cases.

Then again it would be a pretty impressive anchor to start worrying about breaking strains in normal use...

 

[Tranona]

I don't know what sort of bionic swivels Vyv Cox is using, but every failed mooring chain I have ever seen - quite a few - failed at the swivel, definitely the weakest link in those ( mostly Chichester Conservancy approved method ) cases.

Perhaps because dedicated anchor swivels are very different animals from those used in moorings!

 

[snooks]

I don't know what sort of bionic swivels Vyv Cox is using, but every failed mooring chain I have ever seen - quite a few - failed at the swivel, definitely the weakest link in those ( mostly Chichester Conservancy approved method ) cases.

But a swivel is a swivel is a swivel....innit? Just like all boats are the same, so must all swivels be the same......



I was there with Vyv and not all anchor swivels are the same, let alone all "swivels"

 

[srm]

Just a thought - could the amount of twist in the chain on recovery be a function of the time the anchor spends suspended off the sea bed? I have never had more than a half twist to sort out before stowing the anchor, but on all my boats have had to pause two or three times to check that the last lengths of chain are stowed flat in the locker. (I prefer having lots of chain). This will give time for the suspended chain to untwist. Those who can run their chain in rapidly until the anchor is at the roller may well be preventing it from untwisting itself.
As I said, just a thought.

 

[Delfin]

I wrote the YM article. All the data is on my website. Far from being a weak link, a decent swivel can be considerably stronger than the chain.

The answer to the question is: if you don't find you need a swivel then don't use one. My windlass manufacturer recommends that one be used and I find that my chain twists badly without one. This year I intend trying without mine to find out whether it is strictly necessary.

Quite so, thank you.

Lousy swivels are available, but so are good ones that are stronger than the chain. I've been using a flip swivel from Ultra that works well, always turning the anchor so it comes home correctly. It is stronger than the G4 1/2" chain. Without the swivel about 30% of the time I have to turn 176# with a boathook to get it oriented correctly.

 

[vyv_cox]

Slight drift but what do people think about a groove in the roller to reduce chain twist?
My problem with twisted chain is not retrieval but deployment - if twisted it gets stuck in the hawser/gypsie. Andrew

I fitted a grooved roller to stop the anchor from sliding across when we tacked. I do find it very useful for straightening the chain on recovery, guiding it directly into the windlass. It is probably also fulfilling a useful function when deploying.