billmacfarlane
Active member
I want to mark my new anchor chain ( 50m ). Last time I did it I used white paint but it soon wore off. Anyone got any better method of doing it that won't cause any slippage on the electric windlass ? Thanks in advance.
Marking anchor chain
- Thread starter billmacfarlane
- Start date
G
Guest
Guest
I used orange plastic ratchet cable ties. 1 @ 10m, 2 @ 20m, 3 @ 30m & so on. Highly visible in daylight and can be sampled by touch when anchoring at night.
Bought them from a chandlers.
Hope that helps
Richard
Bought them from a chandlers.
Hope that helps
Richard
summerwind
New member
I also use cable ties but bought them from electrical store - big bag of assorted sizes for about £1 if I remember correctly
brian_neale
New member
I had anticipated using cable ties as well, but would be interested to know how well they last when run through a windlass gypsy a few times, and whether they can cause slipping. They are cheap and easy enough that replacing every season or two is no big issue, but the windlass fit concerns me a little.
billmacfarlane
Active member
Thanks Richard. Do you have an electric windlass and if so do you get any slippage due to the ties ?
Boatman
New member
Bill,
I use electrical cable ties on an electric windlass have not noticed any slippage, I find they tend to last about two years with fairly constant use.
I use electrical cable ties on an electric windlass have not noticed any slippage, I find they tend to last about two years with fairly constant use.
Trevor_swfyc
New member
I have painted my new chain every 5 metres with 1ft of car spray paint and have a different colour red/white/blue/yellow. It does tend to come off, this year I have lacquered over it see if this helps.
The idea of plastic ties sounds good as said handy in the dark, Maplin do different colours, so thats a possibility as far as slippage on the winch is concerned if only one link is marked then provided 3/4 of the winch contacts the chain (as it should) then can't imagine any chance of slippage.
There was a temptation regarding ties and moving machinery but I avoided it!
Thanks for the tip.
Trevor.
The idea of plastic ties sounds good as said handy in the dark, Maplin do different colours, so thats a possibility as far as slippage on the winch is concerned if only one link is marked then provided 3/4 of the winch contacts the chain (as it should) then can't imagine any chance of slippage.
There was a temptation regarding ties and moving machinery but I avoided it!
Thanks for the tip.
Trevor.
onenyala
New member
For the last two seasons I have used thick polypropylene twine. I Cow hitch it on at 5, 10m etc intervals. Tie one overhand knot on the first tail 2 at the second etc. They stay on and you can feel the knots as they come up. The knots stop the cow hitch from coming off
Stuart Jones
Stuart Jones
romany123
New member
Used electrical cable ties on mine for the 4 years (still not worn out) and I anchor all the time so they get well used, also no slippage
Dave
Dave
lezgar
New member
If you use plastic cable ties don't cut the plastic end or you will cut your hands with the plastic edge.
david_bagshaw
Well-known member
I have used plastic cable ties for 5 years now, RS do a bag of coloured ones so use a similar system to the colours in snooker
I have found they last the best if loosely fitted, then thay last years, even when anch on rocky bottoms, or strong streams.
On an average summer voyage we anch at least twice a day, some times more.
They dont cause slippage, but occasionally bring weed up, and certainly last better than paint, which we find is invisable after a week or so in black mud.
David
www.yachtman.co.uk
I have found they last the best if loosely fitted, then thay last years, even when anch on rocky bottoms, or strong streams.
On an average summer voyage we anch at least twice a day, some times more.
They dont cause slippage, but occasionally bring weed up, and certainly last better than paint, which we find is invisable after a week or so in black mud.
David
www.yachtman.co.uk
HaraldS
New member
Used paint and later cable ties with the result already described by others. Means cable ties last for a season of heavy usesage. I also use them on the anchor shackle now, instead of the monel wire.
Last year I came across a new thing which I put on my chain, replacing the cable ties. These are colored little plastic buttons that you press inside the chain link. They don't touch anything, not the Gypsy or the bow roller, so should last longer. I had them for one season now and not lost any.
They come 5 or 6 in a package in four or five colors and for different chain sizes.
Last year I came across a new thing which I put on my chain, replacing the cable ties. These are colored little plastic buttons that you press inside the chain link. They don't touch anything, not the Gypsy or the bow roller, so should last longer. I had them for one season now and not lost any.
They come 5 or 6 in a package in four or five colors and for different chain sizes.
ccscott49
Active member
Where do you get these button thingys, please? I made my own electronic anchor counter with 5 quids worth of bits from maplins, plus cable.
Franklin
New member
Last year I bought a new type of marker for chains. They consist of different coloured plastic inserts that fit inside the link. They work incredible well and don't come off. I bought them in Spain but they are made by an Italian company the name of which I cannot remember but if anyone is interested I could find the name.
ToMo
New member
Yes please....and I'm sure others are too, it will be worth a new thread IMHO
TôMö
TôMö
Franklin
New member
I will post the details as soon as I can get them. I seem to recall having seen them reviewed recently in a yachting mag. but can't remember which. Sorry.
Frank
Frank
HaraldS
New member
Bought them at previous years Duesseldorf boat fair. I know one place in Germany where you can get them, but I'm sure you'll find many places. Here is a link to that thingy:
Go to:
http://www.awn-watersports.com/awniemeyer/shop/index.html
then in the search field put in the article number 100993
If you click on the picture you get an idea of what it looks like.
I think that number is for 10 pieces of red marker for a 10mm chain.
There is also a set of 5 different colours, 10 pieces each for 10mm with article number 100999, but no picture.
Since you mentioned the electronic chain counter, I hope your self made one is more reliable than my Lofrans. Mine is on the hand held windlass control, which is in forwardmost locker, which also get quite wet when beating to windward. It died already during the trials and was replaced by an improved version from Lofrans distributor.
While the inductive sensor, that goes around the chain below deck is very solid, the housing of the electronics in the handheld control is ridiculous.
With the new thing we were beating to windward in a 30 knot wind and while we were marvelling how well the boat does in these conditions, we all a sudden were shocked by a terribly load grinding noise. Really frigthing for those seconds that you try to figure out where it comes from.
It turned out the remote had got wet again and started the achorwindlass which was trying to pull the anchor in, the anchor was solidly locked in the bow roller, so the windlass slipped in its friction brake.
I have since taken out the power transistors from the remote and then sealed the whole thing with Sikaflex. I seem to have a lasting counter now and I run the anchor windlass with a wireless remote that is safe and dry in the chart table drawer most of the time.
Still I put the chain markers on, since I didn't trust this stuff, and I also have put chain marker on my stern anchor chain. So far they seem to last fine.
Go to:
http://www.awn-watersports.com/awniemeyer/shop/index.html
then in the search field put in the article number 100993
If you click on the picture you get an idea of what it looks like.
I think that number is for 10 pieces of red marker for a 10mm chain.
There is also a set of 5 different colours, 10 pieces each for 10mm with article number 100999, but no picture.
Since you mentioned the electronic chain counter, I hope your self made one is more reliable than my Lofrans. Mine is on the hand held windlass control, which is in forwardmost locker, which also get quite wet when beating to windward. It died already during the trials and was replaced by an improved version from Lofrans distributor.
While the inductive sensor, that goes around the chain below deck is very solid, the housing of the electronics in the handheld control is ridiculous.
With the new thing we were beating to windward in a 30 knot wind and while we were marvelling how well the boat does in these conditions, we all a sudden were shocked by a terribly load grinding noise. Really frigthing for those seconds that you try to figure out where it comes from.
It turned out the remote had got wet again and started the achorwindlass which was trying to pull the anchor in, the anchor was solidly locked in the bow roller, so the windlass slipped in its friction brake.
I have since taken out the power transistors from the remote and then sealed the whole thing with Sikaflex. I seem to have a lasting counter now and I run the anchor windlass with a wireless remote that is safe and dry in the chart table drawer most of the time.
Still I put the chain markers on, since I didn't trust this stuff, and I also have put chain marker on my stern anchor chain. So far they seem to last fine.
billmacfarlane
Active member
THANK YOU ALL nm
nm
nm
G
Guest
Guest
Hi, Bill,
Boat was Jaguar 25, no windlass, just good old fashion grunt & heave.
I still think it's the best bet esp. if you get v small cable ties (2.5mm)
Happy sailing (& anchoring)
Richard
Boat was Jaguar 25, no windlass, just good old fashion grunt & heave.
I still think it's the best bet esp. if you get v small cable ties (2.5mm)
Happy sailing (& anchoring)
Richard
G
Guest
Guest
sorry, forget to say that I melted the cut ends with the flame from a disposable lighter.
Richard
Richard
