Is this stainless steel anchor chain suitable?

[Jokani]

My 26ft Centaur currently has 8mm galvanised anchor chain, but the chain jams when the pile reaches the top of the locker, to free it I need to go down below in to the forpeak and adjust the chain before I can start the windlass again. This is OK with crew on board but I more that often sail single handed, and leaving the cockpit is often not an option.

In an attempt to cure the piling problem I was going to swap the gypsy from 8mm to 7mm and source 7mm stainless chain. But Jimmy Green cannot supply 7mm stainless chain and the only other source I can find is http://www.tecni-cable.co.uk/7mm-x-22mm-x-23mm-A4-AISI-316-Stainless-Steel-Chain-MBL-2500kgs-208.300.407 this is not specifically for marine use, but the loads look similar to galvanised chain. Is it suitable?

I could possibly move to 6mm, but that could be undesized for a Centaur in a blow?

 

[RichardS]

Can you actually obtain a 7mm gypsy?

Richard

 

[Neeves]

7mm gypsies do exist but not for all windlass. Most windlass manufacturers have a gypsy spread sheet on their website but they can be difficult to find - so ring the manufacturer, before progressing.

I have not checked the Tecni link - but check the size specification for the stainless you want to buy, prior to telephoning the windlass maker - they will need to data to determine if their gypsy fits that chain.

Stainless, of the same size as gal, can have the same UTS but the yield of stainless is low and it can stretch (and still meet UTS). Check if it has been tested for Proof Strength to 2 x WLL (ring Tecni).

Jonathan

 

[Jokani]

Can you actually obtain a 7mm gypsy?

Richard

Hi Richard, yes, Jimmy Green added it to their website earlier this week for me - https://jimmygreen.com/lofrans-accessories/51650-lofrans-replacement-gypsy#/4138-lofrans_replacement_gypsy_chain_calibration-project_x1/3616-chain_size-7mm_din766

 

[Slipstream 34]

I bought some 10mm stainless steel anchor chain from this company. Very helpful and good price. Deliver charge was half the price Jimmy Green quoted. It solved our piling issue. As already stated better to stick with 8mm.


http://boatgeardirect.co.uk/chain/category/52-stainless-steel-chain

 

[Jokani]

Stainless, of the same size as gal, can have the same UTS but the yield of stainless is low and it can stretch (and still meet UTS). Check if it has been tested for Proof Strength to 2 x WLL (ring Tecni).

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, Tecni state that the WLL is 625 kgs and the MBL is 2500 kg, wich is 4 x WLL

 

[AllanG]

To save the expense of changing your chain, couldn't you try one of those cone devices that, allegedly, stop the chain from piling up:-

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?130109-Anchor-chain-pyramiding&

 

[TQA]

If you are only anchoring for a few hours on the odd lunch stop then I guess SS chain might be OK

This is what one cruisers SS chain looked like after 7 months in the water in the tropics.

 

[Tranona]

6mm is more than adequate for your Centaur. You will never get anywhere near its SWL. SS chain is approx 3 times the price of galvanised and simply not worth it.

There is little you can do about chain piling up, particularly in a set up like yours - I assume you have a chain pipe to a locker below decks and no other access from on deck. That type of arrangement was never intended for use with a windlass.

 

[Neeves]

I would certainly try anything that will alter the issue of the current galvanised chain.

Can you lower the base of the anchor locker? Would 6mm G40, or G70, chain not better 'fit'.

G70 6mm will tale up less space, so any towering will not be such an issue. Weight on the bow will be reduced. I don't know the 'purchase route' but Peerless sell metric G70, and maybe G40, from a store (I think) in Germany (though I don't recall if they supply 6mm - which would be strong enough). Send Peerless International an email.

There are many ways to skin rabbit!

Jonathan

 

[ditchcrawler]

Eye Co near to Felixstowe do 6mm G40 chain. I use 6mm on my Moody 31 with no problems.
They trade as boatgeardirect.co.uk online

 

[vyv_cox]

Hi Jonathan, Tecni state that the WLL is 625 kgs and the MBL is 2500 kg, wich is 4 x WLL

The link says their chain is to DIN 766, which is a dimensional standard. It should therefore fit the gypsy you have linked to. The strength equates to Grade 30, the minimum standard. I think this chain may be good enough but is not specifically intended for anchoring. Much European made stainless chain is made in Spain for the fishing industry. The suggested Grade 70 6 mm would be more reliable.

 

[Jokani]

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated.

I'll try seeing if I can get a cone to stop the piling, if that works great, if not I'll go fo the better 6mm grade Vyv suggests.

Thanks again.

 

[prv]

SS chain is approx 3 times the price of galvanised and simply not worth it.

There is little you can do about chain piling up

I don't have personal experience in an anchor locker, but stainless chain is more slippery than galvanised and a heap of it on a workshop floor does sit slightly flatter. It's reputed to reduce the piling effect somewhat.

I note that although there's a radio button for "7mm DIN766" on the Jimmy Green page, there's no such entry in the table below. I would double-check that the 7mm windlass they're offering is indeed for DIN766 chain (or will fit it well enough if not specifically made for it).

Pete

 

[Cardinal]

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated.

I'll try seeing if I can get a cone to stop the piling, if that works great, if not I'll go fo the better 6mm grade Vyv suggests.

Thanks again.

How did you get on with the cone which you were going to try? I also have a piling chain which I have to reach down and knock over several times each time the chain is wound in so am looking for a solution.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

The DIN dimensions of the chain and gypsy have already been addressed. The specs on the web page mention the word '"marine" twice and also include the standard "316", so the chain should be perfectly serviceable, if EU manufactured.
It has just occurred to me that we may no longer be able to use the term "gypsy", as Facebook has ruled that it is a term of abuse!?

 

[Jokani]

How did you get on with the cone which you were going to try?

I didn't get that far down my list of possible solutions, I altered the where the chain drops down in to the locker, where it is deeper and the chain does not hit the top, and so far no jams.

The downside is, I now have a pipe in the middle of the v-berth, this has to be moved, whenever the v-berth is used and/or before/after anchoring. An inconvenience but one I'm prepared to accept so tyat I can raise/lower the anchor from the cockpit reliably. But, I appreciate this m,ay not be for everyone.

Pictures here: https://www.westerly-centaur.co.uk/non-piling-anchor-chain-solution

 

[RichardS]

I didn't get that far down my list of possible solutions, I altered the where the chain drops down in to the locker, where it is deeper and the chain does not hit the top, and so far no jams.

The downside is, I now have a pipe in the middle of the v-berth, this has to be moved, whenever the v-berth is used and/or before/after anchoring. An inconvenience but one I'm prepared to accept so tyat I can raise/lower the anchor from the cockpit reliably. But, I appreciate this m,ay not be for everyone.

Pictures here: https://www.westerly-centaur.co.uk/non-piling-anchor-chain-solution

Does the chain run down inside the pipe? If so, how to you remove the pipe?

Richard

 

[Jokani]

Does the chain run down inside the pipe? If so, how to you remove the pipe?

Richard

Hi Richard,

Originally I didn't think that the pipe would be in the way, as I thought 2 people could be in the v-berth and sleep with their feet either side, that proved not to be the case.

So I cut the 2 vertical pieces of pipe and sheeved them with 2 pieces of silicone pipe, when at anchor I can then remove the pipe/chain and hang out of the way. I don't have a picture of this to hand.

So far it seems to work quite well.

 

[KellysEye]

A boat anchored off the Chaguaramas in Trindad had stainless chain he was anchored for over a year with the chain rubbing over the sand, this caused crevice corrosion and it broke. I have never heard of galvanised chain breaking.