Chain problem- any suggestions?

[duke]

Hi All,

My galvanised chain is rusty and makes a mess (rust flakes/dust) on the foredeck when anchoring.
I was thinking of replacing it but seems not as simple as I thought.

The chain is 3/8" short link calibrated, (60 metres length) for use with a powered windlass.
The windlass (new in 1980) was manufactured by Francis Marine of Chichester (now out of business). The gypsy is stamped with the number "6".

I understand the chain was supplied by Simpson Lawrence of Glasgow (now out of business?) and was Lloyds tested and certified.

My problem is that 3/8" is 9.5 mm and I can only locate 10mm. I am concerned that the 10mm may not work properly in the gypsy.
Also I have conflicting advice as to whether or not the new chain should "match" the gypsy as to "type" e.g.
Simpson Lawrence
Lofrans
Lewmar

Any advice or information or your own experience of this problem, would be
appreciated.

Regards,

Duke.

 

[MedMan]

I have recently replaced 3/8" chain with 10mm chain for my Simpson Lawrence Windlass. However, the instruction manual for the windlass did specifically say that the gypsy was suitable for 9.5 to 10 mm chain. Each slot has sloping edges so that 9.5mm chain sits right down in the bottom and 10mm sits much further out. It works fine with the 10mm chain though not quite as 'comfortably' as it did with 9.5mm.

Before buying I persuaded the chandlery (in Malta) to cut off a couple of metres so that I could try it out. It appeared to fit OK, but I still insisted that I would not pay for my 60 metre length until I was certain it would work. They delivered the chain to the yard (I was on the hard), we gave it a good test and it was fine. You might like to do the same.

Best wishes

 

[duke]

Thanks for that information.
Can you advise what age your windlass / original chain is/was?

Regards,

Duke.

 

[charles_reed]

Get it re-galvanised - it will probably be marginally cheaper.

If you like to e-mail me direct I'll give you names/addresses in UK for galvanising or, if you prefer to have the chain re-made to the exact spec you need to fit the gipsy.

If you'll do the transportation to and from the MIdlands, either will work out less expensive than buying the metric chain from a chandler.

 

[Gaffer]

Galvanising works out at 50p per kilo or there abouts, different galvanising companies have different ways of working out how they charge.

If you decide to go for the galvanising it is worth making certain that it is done properly.

Chain it must be spun in a centrifuge immediately after being taken from the zinc bath before the zinc has a chance to solidify otherwise the links will become stuck together in lumps and when these links are separated there will be un galvanised chain left which will rust and you will be back to square one.

Well galvanised chain looks as good as new and will last for many more years, well worth the effort.

 

[MedMan]

About 10 years. The chain was like yours - rusty in places and flakey and left an awful mess on the deck and in the locker. I kept two 5 metre lengths cut from the best sections which I now use when tying back to a rocky shore Croatian-style. The windlass - an electric one - is still going strong.

 

[Boathook]

You could try Griff Chains (www.griffchains.co.uk). They advertise in PBO quite a bit. When I spoke to them a whileback they wanted to know what windlass it was for as size's vary.

 

[Guest]

Take Charles_Reed's sound advise, re-galvanize!
Gene

Keep on Learning!!

 

[Guest]

For chain Try GRIFF CHAINS, Dudley, West Midlands

I will be interested to know if they can help.

 

[duke]

Thanks.

I will keep you informed.
Might be a while as I will probally have to send sample to them.

Regards,

Duke.

 

[hillyarder]

not from chandlers

Dont but chain f®om a chandler. its manufactured in the black country. try Bradney Chain in Cradley Heath. West mids.

 

[Guest]

Simpson Lawrence Engineering is alive and well and own Lewmar,Navtec amongst other Brands.
It is only the Chandlery istribution ide that went bust after being bought out by Sowester.
So you should have no problem.

MikeM