Best way to join an anchor chain in an emergency ?

[Boo2]

So, hypothetically, say I urgently need to extend the anchor chain I have out and fortuitously just happen to have another length of similar chain to hand. What is the best way to temporarily join them that is least likely to give way ? A shackle ? Or what ?

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[alan_d]

Two shackles back-to-back, of the largest size that the pin will go through a link of the chain?

 

[prv]

Two shackles back-to-back, of the largest size that the pin will go through a link of the chain?

+1

Alternatively, if suitable shackles aren't available - and you did say it's an emergency - I daresay a carrick bend would be secure, though it would almost certainly take a hacksaw to undo.

Or perhaps a loop, a single half-hitch back onto the standing part with a decent length of tail, and stop the tail down with several seizings of thin cord. Do the same on the other piece with the two loops interlinked. A bit like the "half-hitch, stitch, and whip" sometimes used as a lazy alternative to a braid eye splice.

All that said, if I needed more length, I'd be putting rope on the end rather than more chain. The further it is from the anchor, the less the properties of chain matter, and rope is easier to manage.

Pete

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Just an overhand knot and then join the two ends with a bolt and a self-locking nut. There will be little strain on the bolt. It is sometimes possible to use the next size up from the chain, i.e. M10 bolt on an 8mm link, when the end link is made 'more circular' so as to accommodate a shackle.

 

[Tintin]

Cable ties? Gaffer tape? Swmbo tights? Chewing gum? Err, sorry wrong thread.

 

[fuss]

So, hypothetically, say I urgently need to extend the anchor chain I have out and fortuitously just happen to have another length of similar chain to hand. What is the best way to temporarily join them that is least likely to give way ? A shackle ? Or what ?

I would use a dyneema soft shackle, maybe 8mm...or 10mm. This will be stronger than the chain and also dyneema does not seem to chafe when used through an end chain link.

This would be a good solution I think.

Also, if you are sceptical.... put another longer dyneema soft shackle through the next links in. But note that this soft shackle would need to be taking no load as it has a chain link in the way that would/might cause chafe.

 

[TQA]

2 bow shackles is what I would choose to use.

But when I HAD to do it in the middle of nowhere I used a single nut and bolt. It held under considerable strain.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

2 bow shackles …..

Or D shackles; it doesn't matter if a bow or D is used, even if the yacht slews and strains the D obliquely. I know that people believe a D should only be loaded linearly but that is not correct. Some manufacturers offer D shackles that have ratings for oblique loading and even cast in 45 degree marks on the saddle section of the shackle as an aid to identify the maximum load. The purpose of the bow is to take a pair of hard eyes that would not otherwise fit into a D. The other advantage of a D is that it may pass through the stem head fitting and over the bow roller, whereas a bow may jam between the cheeks.

 

[Hypocacculus]

You could conceivably splice it together with 3 or 8 strand nylon anchor rode of suitable thickness. And having a great long length of nylon anchor rode is a more practical proposition than having an extra length of chain "lying around". Ours is spliced on permanently!

 

[simonfraser]

You could conceivably splice it together with 3 or 8 strand nylon anchor rode of suitable thickness. And having a great long length of nylon anchor rode is a more practical proposition than having an extra length of chain "lying around". Ours is spliced on permanently!

+1

 

[srah1953]

You could conceivably splice it together with 3 or 8 strand nylon anchor rode of suitable thickness. And having a great long length of nylon anchor rode is a more practical proposition than having an extra length of chain "lying around". Ours is spliced on permanently!

Not something that you'd really want to be doing in an emergency

 

[LittleSister]

You could conceivably splice it together with 3 or 8 strand nylon anchor rode of suitable thickness.

Not something that you'd really want to be doing in an emergency

Oh, I don't know. Might take one's mind off things!

 

[Lakesailor]

If you are thinking ahead, how about this? http://www.gsproducts.co.uk/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=34_209_227

 

[johnphilip]

I would use a dyneema soft shackle, maybe 8mm...or 10mm. This will be stronger than the chain and also dyneema does not seem to chafe when used through an end chain link.

This would be a good solution I think.

Also, if you are sceptical.... put another longer dyneema soft shackle through the next links in. But note that this soft shackle would need to be taking no load as it has a chain link in the way that would/might cause chafe.

For quick and normally available on most of our boats use thin dyneema or even braid threaded through and through the end links to make a multipart lanyard. After all this is how masts used to be kept upright before bottlescrews. Looking at Marlows site even a lowly 4mm braid gives avg breaking strain of 1/3 of a ton, dyneema about a ton. multiply this by say 8 lengths and it's strong enough to pull the bow off.

 

[fuss]

I would use a dyneema soft shackle, maybe 8mm...or 10mm. This will be stronger than the chain and also dyneema does not seem to chafe when used through an end chain link.

This would be a good solution I think.

Also, if you are sceptical.... put another longer dyneema soft shackle through the next links in. But note that this soft shackle would need to be taking no load as it has a chain link in the way that would/might cause chafe.

This emergency solution is stronger than the chain.

 

[pelissima]

If you are thinking ahead, how about this? http://www.gsproducts.co.uk/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=34_209_227

This is what I have used and cary in my spares.

 

[vyv_cox]

If you are thinking ahead, how about this? http://www.gsproducts.co.uk/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=34_209_227

OK if you only consider it to be a temporary repair, but 316 stainless steel C-links have about half the strength of Grade 30 chain.

 

[alahol2]

I use one of these as an anchor connector (and have done for the last 20 odd years). http://www.s3i.co.uk/rapide_link_large_mouth.php
I'd be just as happy to use one as a chain connector.