Greased chain.

OldBawley

Active member
Joined
9 Aug 2010
Messages
984
Location
Cruising Med
Visit site
Watching this vid I had the impression the guy had greased his anchor chain.

https://vimeo.com/139102400

Have seen the same thing on Turkish Gullets.
Need a new chain, ( nr five) so was thinking of maybe, greasing the new chain with some non stinking grease. Could be the chain would coil smoother into the anchor pit.
Anyone heard of greasing a chain ?
Would it not take up sand and other stuff ?
 

boatmike

Well-known member
Joined
30 Jun 2002
Messages
7,044
Location
Solent
Visit site
If chain is properly galvanised it should last for quite a few years. Grease will only attract sand and muck.
 

OldBawley

Active member
Joined
9 Aug 2010
Messages
984
Location
Cruising Med
Visit site
Galvanising is not the issue.
We anchor 365/ 365, so after 4 to 5 years each chain link is worn down from 8 to 7 or 6 mm at the contact point. So the chain gets longer, jumps in the gipsy and starts turning.
Grease would not help against the wear, nothing can ( except mooring in a marina )
The windlass is a manual SL Seatiger, failing impossible.
The Turkish Gullets who lay miles of chain do sometimes grease the chain, probably to avoid blocked heaps of chain in the anchor locker.
 

Squeaky

New member
Joined
25 Mar 2008
Messages
590
Location
Marmaris, Turkey
Visit site
.
The Turkish Gullets who lay miles of chain do sometimes grease the chain, probably to avoid blocked heaps of chain in the anchor locker.

Good afternoon:

I suspect that statement is not supported by any research and is nothing more than an assumption and we all know what happens when one does that.

What possible advantage would greasing the chain provide?

Cheers

Squeaky
 

prv

Well-known member
Joined
29 Nov 2009
Messages
37,361
Location
Southampton
Visit site
What possible advantage would greasing the chain provide?

Help it slither down into a more compact heap in the anchor locker, as OB says. Rich moboists sometimes fit stainless chain for the same reason, as it's more slippery than galvanised.

I think the disadvantages significantly outweigh that advantage, but a small advantage it is.

Pete
 

rigman

Member
Joined
14 Dec 2009
Messages
95
Location
Ionian/Aegean
Visit site
Watching this vid I had the impression the guy had greased his anchor chain.

https://vimeo.com/139102400

Have seen the same thing on Turkish Gullets.
Need a new chain, ( nr five) so was thinking of maybe, greasing the new chain with some non stinking grease. Could be the chain would coil smoother into the anchor pit.
Anyone heard of greasing a chain ?
Would it not take up sand and other stuff ?
You will leave a trace of oil in the water. In the old days we used pour old engine oil into the drilling rig chain lockers to help stowing. Stopped many moons ago due to regulations. It used to make a hell of a mess but was effective.
 

OldBawley

Active member
Joined
9 Aug 2010
Messages
984
Location
Cruising Med
Visit site
Good afternoon:

I suspect that statement is not supported by any research and is nothing more than an assumption and we all know what happens when one does that.

What possible advantage would greasing the chain provide?

Cheers

Squeaky


Not an assumption.

In April 2010 we ware anchored in Göcek.
Just after dark a luxury gullet came next to us and anchored. They ware way to close to us so I rowed the dingy over to ask what they ware up to.
The guys on the bow had some fun, then told me they would leave immediately. While I was just a few yards away, they let the whole ( Big ) chain of the starboard side slip into the water.
Told me the owner had bought stainless chain. Off they went.
Next morning I had a look at the big pile of chain. Just 10 feet of water, so I even had a quick dive. Turned out the whole chain was abundantly greased ( and as good as new )
Way to heavy for any yacht, our boat would have sunk.
A bit later an other Gullet came and picked the chain up.
 
Top