MedMan
Well-Known Member
Has anyone used those plastic chain markers you can buy? How do you get them in position in the first place? Are they any good, or do they just fall out?
Plastic chain markers
- Thread starter MedMan
- Start date
DaveS
Well-Known Member
I bought some about 3 or 4 years ago. You sort of wiggle them into position, which takes a bit of time. I've lost a few, maybe 5% or so, over the years, but enough remain to keep the marks clear. I would recommend using quite a lot, however, so that at least a foot of chain is marked and I would definitely avoid a coding system which uses more than 2 colours at each mark. I settled for one solid colour for each 10m mark and that colour and white for the preceding 5m mark. They come with a neat little label which you can mark up with your coding and stick to the underside of the anchor locker lid - or wherever is convenient.
When the chain gets very muddy the marks are difficult to see, so I also added a couple of cable ties. These are easily spotted and you can concentrate your gaze around them, or wipe the chain in that area to decipher the coloured marks.
When the chain gets very muddy the marks are difficult to see, so I also added a couple of cable ties. These are easily spotted and you can concentrate your gaze around them, or wipe the chain in that area to decipher the coloured marks.
markdj
Well-Known Member
Paint like toplac works great and lasts a few years. Using one colour the following is the best method for numbering
10m = 1 link painted
20m = 1link paint, 2 links space, 1 link paint
30 m = 1link paint, 2 links space, 1 link paint, 2 links space, 1 link paint
etc.
Works great even when running out at high speed, and red toplac looks nice too, maybe red hammerite would last longer?
10m = 1 link painted
20m = 1link paint, 2 links space, 1 link paint
30 m = 1link paint, 2 links space, 1 link paint, 2 links space, 1 link paint
etc.
Works great even when running out at high speed, and red toplac looks nice too, maybe red hammerite would last longer?
John_Clarke
Well-Known Member
I have had mine for about 3 years and none have fallen out. The work very well and have required no maintenance. I agree with DaveS that you need several at each mark so that you can see them when the chain is whizzing out. The minimum I have found acceptable is 4 adjacent links marked; you will then have 2 vertical and 2 horizontal.
A marking system which works for me is 4 red at 10 m, 2 red + 2 yellow at 15 m; 4 yellow at 20 m; 2 yellow + 2 green at 25 m; 4 green at 30 m; etc. If you miss a mark you know exactly where you are at the next mark because they are all unique.
A marking system which works for me is 4 red at 10 m, 2 red + 2 yellow at 15 m; 4 yellow at 20 m; 2 yellow + 2 green at 25 m; 4 green at 30 m; etc. If you miss a mark you know exactly where you are at the next mark because they are all unique.
lille_bee
Well-Known Member
We use red and yellow hammerite on our anchor-chain, and we find that we need to touch it up once a year, especially the marks up to 25 metres as they're the ones that get dragged past the windlass every time we park or anchor off. Our code is 5m= 3 red links, 10m= 3 yellow links; 15m= 3 red+3 yellow; 20m= 3 yellow+3 yellow; 25m= 3yellow+3yellow+3 red etc...
We have found that yellow is a lot easier than white to spot underwater in the Med, where you can easily spot your anchor on the bottom in 8-10 metres depth.
We have found that yellow is a lot easier than white to spot underwater in the Med, where you can easily spot your anchor on the bottom in 8-10 metres depth.
markdj
Well-Known Member
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif is it just me or do I like to keep things simple/stupid? all those pretty colours are great but too technical for me, you would need a written code to remember them! anyway. We've anchored about 300 times this year (no joke) about 4-5 times a day for 6 weeks then less ealier in the year and 3 yr toplac is holding up ok. Will need a touch up this winter.
DaveS
Well-Known Member
As I said, there is a useful little label provided which does indeed let you write down and display your code. This is particularly useful when unfamiliar crew are aboard. I also tend to work to the nearest 5m rather than 10 - maybe I'm being over fussy, don't know.
I am interested in the number of anchorings per day you make. I normally stop overnight with sometimes a lunch stop mid day. Even on the "3 islands bagged" days of our summer cruise we very rarely anchored more than 3 times in a day. Not wishing to be nosey, but "4-5 times a day"? Why? Is this a mobo / saily difference thing?
I am interested in the number of anchorings per day you make. I normally stop overnight with sometimes a lunch stop mid day. Even on the "3 islands bagged" days of our summer cruise we very rarely anchored more than 3 times in a day. Not wishing to be nosey, but "4-5 times a day"? Why? Is this a mobo / saily difference thing?
Gerry
Well-Known Member
They just push in to position, stay in place for ages, ours have been on for three years but the colours have faded and they are quite hard to spot now as the chain comes on board.........
Ships_Cat
Well-Known Member
Have used them for one season now and none have fallen out so, so far so good and not regretted the change - I epoxied them in for good measure. I think I got a special order though as they were a recommendation of poster Hylas and I threatened to pay him a visit if any fell out /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
In the past have always used enamel paint which would not last us a season. For work reasons we did not spend nearly as much time at anchor last season though with the inserts, however, was anchored through a number of gales with chain dragging around the bottom and we always anchor so the inserts probably got a reasonable workout.
As others have said we have always used just one colour at each mark and would recommend that as I think a mix of colours using inserts would be hard to see as the chain goes out. For the case of remembering the colours (a problem raised by another) I have always screwed a laminated card inside the forepeak where it can be seen through the open hatch.
Epoxy paint holds well and is maybe better than the inserts but is very expensive buying it in the minimum available quantities if more than a few colours are wanted. I do use white epoxy primer though on a metre or so of the chain to the anchor so can see when the anchor is about to hit the roller, and also do the same for the last couple of metres so I know when I have come to the other end. That lasts for several seasons no problems.
John
In the past have always used enamel paint which would not last us a season. For work reasons we did not spend nearly as much time at anchor last season though with the inserts, however, was anchored through a number of gales with chain dragging around the bottom and we always anchor so the inserts probably got a reasonable workout.
As others have said we have always used just one colour at each mark and would recommend that as I think a mix of colours using inserts would be hard to see as the chain goes out. For the case of remembering the colours (a problem raised by another) I have always screwed a laminated card inside the forepeak where it can be seen through the open hatch.
Epoxy paint holds well and is maybe better than the inserts but is very expensive buying it in the minimum available quantities if more than a few colours are wanted. I do use white epoxy primer though on a metre or so of the chain to the anchor so can see when the anchor is about to hit the roller, and also do the same for the last couple of metres so I know when I have come to the other end. That lasts for several seasons no problems.
John
Niord
Member
I Paint 1 link every 10 meters Dead simple 4 links equals 40 meters - Car touch up paint lasts for at least 1 year -
We anchored every night for 3 months - no problem
White or red paint is best
We anchored every night for 3 months - no problem
White or red paint is best
onenyala
Well-Known Member
I have tied on short lengths (10cm) bright blue polypropylene multistrand twine at 5M, 10m, etc . One knot in the twine at 5M, 2 knots at 10M etc. They stay on, are easily seen and can be felt in the dark.
MIKE_MCKIE
Well-Known Member
Similar to Niord, but I use cable ties at 5mtr intervals, then if it is dark you can feel how many there are, ie 1 at 5, 2 at 10 etc. Given that I have 30 mtrs of chain it is dead easy.
G
Guest
Guest
Having hurt my hand on cable ties and other plastic stuff in chains ... I am against them.
Ship's system is to paint the actual shackle at each joint red and then the length in multiples of shackle white links. The last link corresponding to the length with a stainless band fitted to the mid bar.
OK - that is not possible on a yacht and each shackle on a ship is 15 fathoms ... (90 ft) But a similar system could be adaopted on a boat and easily seen / remembered ..... Each 10m or whatever interval you decide ... the link is red and you paint the number of links corresponding to depth either side of the red one. So you see it flash out when cable is running ... snub to next mark and bobs the proverbial - you know exactly whats out.
4 on deck sir and holding !! Finish with 6 in water ...........
Ship's system is to paint the actual shackle at each joint red and then the length in multiples of shackle white links. The last link corresponding to the length with a stainless band fitted to the mid bar.
OK - that is not possible on a yacht and each shackle on a ship is 15 fathoms ... (90 ft) But a similar system could be adaopted on a boat and easily seen / remembered ..... Each 10m or whatever interval you decide ... the link is red and you paint the number of links corresponding to depth either side of the red one. So you see it flash out when cable is running ... snub to next mark and bobs the proverbial - you know exactly whats out.
4 on deck sir and holding !! Finish with 6 in water ...........
alan
Well-Known Member
I've used them for the last six years or so. None have fallen out. They just push into place helped by a small flat-blade screw driver. As others have said you need to use at lweast four at each mark, and I would not use more than three colours max otherwise you'll never remember the sequence!
Remember to buy them the correct size for your chain - they come in different sizes.
Alan. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Remember to buy them the correct size for your chain - they come in different sizes.
Alan. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
markdj
Well-Known Member
Diving expedition for 6 weeks so up to 5 dives a day at various locations.
Ships_Cat
Well-Known Member
In our own case I think one of the biggest removers of painted marks on the chain was the windlass gypsy - with paint wearing off all the outside parts of the link but not so much the inside.
The first set of marks painted on when the chain was new lasted considerably longer than later ones, but no doubt I could have improved later life by perfect preparation of the links before repainting - not a task I set myself too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
John
The first set of marks painted on when the chain was new lasted considerably longer than later ones, but no doubt I could have improved later life by perfect preparation of the links before repainting - not a task I set myself too /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
John
MedMan
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the comments.
I have used my own system with knots in lengths of string for years and it has worked very well. Unfortunately, I have just had to install a new electric windlass and it has a much more restricted entry into the hawse pipe with the consequent danger of the strings hanging up.
I have used my own system with knots in lengths of string for years and it has worked very well. Unfortunately, I have just had to install a new electric windlass and it has a much more restricted entry into the hawse pipe with the consequent danger of the strings hanging up.
hylass
Well-Known Member
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