Is it viable to extend an anchor chain

[NPMR]

We could usefully use another 20m or more of anchor chain.

Would we be unwise to use even a good quality 'joiner' and replace the lot, or is it viable to join extra chain on and sleep peacefully?

I looked at Vyv Cox's site and didn't see the answer to this question.

 

[duncan99210]

The page in Vyv's site is here https://coxengineering.sharepoint.com/Pages/Clinks.aspx. He makes it clear that if you use good quality C links then there isn't a problem joining lengths of chain. For what it's worth, I've got eighty metres of chain in the locker composed of three separate lengths of chain, joined by Crosby links. They've been on the chain for about four years now and need replacing before we launch later in the year. We typically anchor for about one hundred nights or so during the cruising season and the linked chain hasn't given me any sleepless nights.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I also have 80m of 10mm chiain with one Crosby C link.
When I re-galvanised the chain last winter, I did it as one lenght and now it is very hard to see where the C link is. I haven't really give it a second thought and sleep like log on board.

 

[Neeves]

As is well known I have an unhealthy interest, or so everyone tells me , in anchoring. I thus watch threads and though there have been a number of threads identical to this one I have never heard of a genuine Crosby 'C' link failing. You need to peen over properly, and you cannot do this on deck. You need a big hammer and solid base, steel plate or a vice. When connected I would paint the link - as in attaching you will possibly damage the galvanising.

If you are adding 10mm chain - make sure it is the correct size. Metric 10mm comes in 2 sizes and if you have the wrong one it will not fit your gypsy. 6mm. 8mm and 12mm are all the same size, no worries.

Jonathan

 

[vyv_cox]

The only problem with the Crosby link is that it corrodes more rapidly than the chain. It may be electro-plated or just less zinc. Painting it may help but keep an eye on it.

 

[Poignard]

(...) You need to peen over properly, and you cannot do this on deck. You need a big hammer and solid base, steel plate or a vice. When connected I would paint the link - as in attaching you will possibly damage the galvanising.(...)

A flat iron, bought cheaply from a second-hand shop, makes a very effective anvil. And if you want to look smart going ashore, you can use it for its intended purpose and iron a shirt.

I was looking at a C-link in my chain one day and it dawned on me that it bore a remarkable resemblance to a chain link sawn half-way through on each side!. After that I never felt wholly at ease with it and eventually bought myself a whole new rode, 65m long.

 

[Neeves]

I was not sure and checked:

Crosby make 'C' link joiners with 2 finishes, one is galvanised (i'm not sure what the other one is) the galvanised version would be:

G335,

which comes in metric sizes (as well as imperial) comes in 6mm and up and the 8mm have a WLL of 0.89t.

https://www.thecrosbygroup.com/prod...d-missing-link-replacement-links/?language=en

Personally I'm like Ken and I'd buy a new length of chain, but if push came to shove and I could not buy a new length - I have a 'C' link on board and I would use it, until I could replace the whole rode.

Jonathan

Jonathan

 

[Mr Cassandra]

I seem to remember Skipper stu selling C links.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Is there any skill involved in peening or is it just a matter of hammering it till it bells out?

 

[vyv_cox]

I seem to remember Skipper stu selling C links.

He did, but no longer.

 

[vyv_cox]

Is there any skill involved in peening or is it just a matter of hammering it till it bells out?

Some care is needed as it is possible to displace an unpeened rivet while hammering another. Otherwise not very technical.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

He did, but no longer.

Hi
Who supplies the good ones now then?

 

[Poignard]

Is there any skill involved in peening or is it just a matter of hammering it till it bells out?

Many light blows are preferable.

 

[vyv_cox]

Hi
Who supplies the good ones now then?

Tecni-lift will sell single C-links by mail order, unlike many of the other lifting and hoisting suppliers.

 

[vyv_cox]

Many light blows are preferable.

You could deliver light blows to a hardened and tempered C-link until your muscles gave out without making the slightest impression on it. They need heavy clouts with a 2lb hammer.

 

[Poignard]

You could deliver light blows to a hardened and tempered C-link until your muscles gave out without making the slightest impression on it. They need heavy clouts with a 2lb hammer.

Why would you want a hardened and tempered link in a chain that is not itself hardened and tempered? If I got one like that I would anneal it until I could work it.

 

[thinwater]

^^ And then it would be weaker than the chain.

 

[Poignard]

My current chain, from a British manufacturer Griff Ltd, cost me around £300 for a single length of 65 metres with enlarged links at each end. My boat is insured for £22,500. The chain cost less than 1.5% of the value of the boat; and that's just the monetary value. Why on earth would I want to cut corners by having some bodged-up anchor cable when I can have the proper thing for such a small amount? The price of half a dozen dinners. It makes no sense to me at all.

 

[viago]

urgent message to shipping.

you must all increase your anchor chain and warp to several times it's current length as it is widely reported that the moon is to get an upgrade to 4g!

 

[ghostlymoron]

Many boat owners don't have spare cash to spend on their hobby so it makes sense for them to do things as economically as possible whilst still being safe. I believe that a Crosby C link is as strong as the rest of the the chain and not a 'weak link'.