Seago Anchor Chain?

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dunedin

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My very heavily used 10 year old anchor chain has been end for ended 4 years ago but is now getting rusty and left some rusty marks on GRP when used last weekend.
If I can get 10 years out of a new chain it would be worth changing now rather than delaying.

Local chandlery says they stock Seago chain. Is this any good?

How would it compare say to this from Jimmy Green Marine - 8mm DIN766 MF Grade 40 Calibrated Anchor Chain

Interested in any direct experience, thanks
 
I got some this winter, it looked fine, used it a few times since, hasn't broken and is still looking new!

I couldnt find a meaningful difference in G40 specs.

The bonus is that it fits the windlass gypsy perfectly implying a lot of wear on my old chain.

Pictures shows new chain and the reason for replacing.Screenshot_20250315_224051_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20250315_224021_Gallery.jpg
 
Intrigued that one link should be so badly rusted. I do see, however, that if that's your old chain in a pile on the finger pontoon, there was a lot of rust.
 
Supertramp said:
I got some this winter, it looked fine, used it a few times since, hasn't broken and is still looking new!

I couldnt find a meaningful difference in G40 specs.

The bonus is that it fits the windlass gypsy perfectly implying a lot of wear on my old chain.

Pictures shows new chain and the reason for replacing.View attachment 190792View attachment 190793
Click to expand...
I agree with Norman - odd that you have one, isolated, quite badly corroded link. The rest of the chain, either side of the badly corroded (its flaking rust) seems in really good condition. I'd have cut that link out and used a "C" link joiner. I also note this is the old chain, seen in the background (and some of the old chain looks good.

I also don't understand (but maybe you can elaborate) you mention you could not find any meaningful difference in G40 specs - you should not find any difference in a, or all, G40 specs. The G40 spec is set in concrete.

You also mention that the new chain fits the gypsy well "implying a lot of wear on my old chain.". G40 is a specification of the steel used to make the chain, there are also size specifications but G30, G40 and even G80 and G100 chains are made to the same size specifications (assuming metric chain) - the difference is the steel wire (from which the chain is made) tensile strength.


I've never heard of Seago, nor Seago chain, but then I live in Australia. The chain is almost certainly from China and historically the quality has been good. Vyv tested a batch of chains and found the G30 quality chain was close to a G40 specification - but that was a few years ago. (Check Vyv's website). I also tested some Chinese chain, but not as many sources as Vyv, the quality was acceptable. But again this was a few years ago. But when chain is imported it should come with the manufacturers specification and test certificate - why not ask the importer to give you sight of the test certificate. I would also hope the importer tests the chain themselves - ask for their test certificate. There should not be any reluctance to allow you to see a test certificate - one would think the importer/retailer would be proud and happy to show they have tested it themselves and the original certificate simply reinforces their attention to detail. Unfortunately though Chinese chain had been good - no-one offers a galvanising thickness specification (most galvanising is to an approx 70 micron coating thickness (but who knows) - and its the gal that determines chain life - you are on your own. Shiny gal just means its fresh.

I think Americans might still make leisure gal anchor chain, but Kito, who own Peerless, Crosby (in the US) and PWB in Oz were importing anchor chain from China for PWB (and American chain is to a series of Imperial specification - which will not fit a metric gypsy).

Jonathan
 
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Neeves said:
I agree with Norman - odd that you have one, isolated, quite badly corroded link. The rest of the chain, either side of the badly corroded (its flaking rust) seems in really good condition. I'd have cut that link out and used a "C" link joiner. I also note this is the old chain, seen in the background (and some of the old chain looks good.

I also don't understand (but maybe you can elaborate) you mention you could not find any meaningful difference in G40 specs - you should not find any difference in a, or all, G40 specs. The G40 spec is set in concrete.

You also mention that the new chain fits the gypsy well "implying a lot of wear on my old chain.". G40 is a specification of the steel used to make the chain, there are also size specifications but G30, G40 and even G80 and G100 chains are made to the same size specifications (assuming metric chain) - the difference is the steel wire (from which the chain is made) tensile strength.


I've never heard of Seago, nor Seago chain, but then I live in Australia. The chain is almost certainly from China and historically the quality has been good. Vyv tested a batch of chains and found the G30 quality chain was close to a G40 specification - but that was a few years ago. (Check Vyv's website). I also tested some Chinese chain, but not as many sources as Vyv, the quality was acceptable. But again this was a few years ago. But when chain is imported it should come with the manufacturers specification and test certificate - why not ask the importer to give you sight of the test certificate. I would also hope the importer tests the chain themselves - ask for their test certificate. There should not be any reluctance to allow you to see a test certificate - one would think the importer/retailer would be proud and happy to show they have tested it themselves and the original certificate simply reinforces their attention to detail. Unfortunately though Chinese chain had been good - no-one offers a galvanising thickness specification (most galvanising is to an approx 70 micron coating thickness (but who knows) - and its the gal that determines chain life - you are on your own. Shiny gal just means its fresh.

I think Americans might still make leisure gal anchor chain, but Kito, who own Peerless, Crosby (in the US) and PWB in Oz were importing anchor chain from China for PWB (and American chain is to a series of Imperial specification - which will not fit a metric gypsy).

Jonathan
Click to expand...
The other chain in the link in post #1 claims to.be made in Italy.
 
Neeves said:
I agree with Norman - odd that you have one, isolated, quite badly corroded link. The rest of the chain, either side of the badly corroded (its flaking rust) seems in really good condition. I'd have cut that link out and used a "C" link joiner. I also note this is the old chain, seen in the background (and some of the old chain looks good.

I also don't understand (but maybe you can elaborate) you mention you could not find any meaningful difference in G40 specs - you should not find any difference in a, or all, G40 specs. The G40 spec is set in concrete.

You also mention that the new chain fits the gypsy well "implying a lot of wear on my old chain.". G40 is a specification of the steel used to make the chain, there are also size specifications but G30, G40 and even G80 and G100 chains are made to the same size specifications (assuming metric chain) - the difference is the steel wire (from which the chain is made) tensile strength.


I've never heard of Seago, nor Seago chain, but then I live in Australia. The chain is almost certainly from China and historically the quality has been good. Vyv tested a batch of chains and found the G30 quality chain was close to a G40 specification - but that was a few years ago. (Check Vyv's website). I also tested some Chinese chain, but not as many sources as Vyv, the quality was acceptable. But again this was a few years ago. But when chain is imported it should come with the manufacturers specification and test certificate - why not ask the importer to give you sight of the test certificate. I would also hope the importer tests the chain themselves - ask for their test certificate. There should not be any reluctance to allow you to see a test certificate - one would think the importer/retailer would be proud and happy to show they have tested it themselves and the original certificate simply reinforces their attention to detail. Unfortunately though Chinese chain had been good - no-one offers a galvanising thickness specification (most galvanising is to an approx 70 micron coating thickness (but who knows) - and its the gal that determines chain life - you are on your own. Shiny gal just means its fresh.

I think Americans might still make leisure gal anchor chain, but Kito, who own Peerless, Crosby (in the US) and PWB in Oz were importing anchor chain from China for PWB (and American chain is to a series of Imperial specification - which will not fit a metric gypsy).

Jonathan
Click to expand...
The link shown was one of several patches of similar or isolated links. I bought the boat with the chain 5 years ago and the chain was obviously old. I cut the bottom 10 metres off, and the top metre, end for ended it and have used it for several seasons. I had about 45m up to that link. I normally anchor in 5 to 10m so not a restriction plus it's 10mm chain on a 36ft boat (let's not go into that!).

I washed it every time I was in a marina and that slowed further deterioration but decided it was time to replace. I have cut it up and used the good lengths (which were rust free) to replace my even worse kedge chains (2).

The only explanation I can offer is that the chain was probably old - possibly over three decades - and that it had been sat in the locker salty for well over a year with damp ropes before I bought the boat. I don't understand why one link goes so badly - it was presumably "the weakest link"?

Returning to the OP's question, I decided G40 was a standard I was happy to trust and the Seago chain is G40.
 
Historically and commonly Chinese chain was seldom marked. The Americans, where most chain is Imperial - totally different link size to metric, demand that chain sold in America is marked with some means of defining the manufacturer and the 'G' number.

If you want to sell in the US, you need to meet the requirements. This may spill over to chain to a metric spec and the ones I buy which are high tensile chains have a G number either 80 or 100 and a brand. CMP's chain is well marked CMP, with e 'G' number, 30 or 40 (or 3 or 4) and sometimes their brand 'Titan'. Not every link need be marked and quite often you need to be very patient with your search. American requirements also cover testing and every batch should be tested, though the test covers not many links and batches can be huge - but the drum in the chandlers will be referenced and the reference should match a test certificate

Its relatively easy to confirm where a chain was actually made - tell the retailer you want to buy 100m of chain and ask to see a test certificate - to me it seems that it should be standard practice - nothing to hide. The test certificate should confirm country of origin.

Interestingly or coincidentally Maggi, with their Aqua 4 and 7 disappeared, and were stocked by JimmyGreen and MF appeared soon after. Maybe they are one of the last Western producers of leisure anchor chain.

Jonathan
 
dunedin said:
G40 standard seems to relate to the metal strength. But yacht chain rarely has a strength issue, it is the galvanising quality that seems to have the biggest impact on lifespan.
Click to expand...
Grade 30 is made from what is known as 'dead mild' steel, low carbon with very little in the way of other elements. In the days when steel was refined from blast furnace iron in open hearth furnaces this was widely available in UK.

Now that most chain comes from China the majority of their steel is produced for construction, with slightly higher carbon and some alloying elements. 10 - 15 years ago most Chinese chain was sold as Grade 30 but tested as Grade 40. Now they seem to have upped the chemical spec slightly and market as Grade 40.

Grade 70 is the same stuff but heat treated for greater strength.

It does seem that galvanising quality decreases as alloying elements increase
 
dunedin said:
Interesting thanks - looks like they have the same Italian made chain as Jimmy Green Marine but for substantially less MF Solid Zinc Chain In Stock For UK Next Day Delivery.

Doesn’t mention “calibrated” but does have link sizes. Might phone to check
Click to expand...
So my shiny new chain arrived today from Boat Gear Direct. Very efficient on the phone addressing a query and efficient online ordering system. Arrived within a couple of days.
Will only know if the chain is any good after a few years use - but it looks much shinier than the Seago chain, and stamped MF which confirms it is the Italian made chain I ordered.
Thanks for the recommendation RivalRedwing.
 
dunedin said:
So my shiny new chain arrived today from Boat Gear Direct. Very efficient on the phone addressing a query and efficient online ordering system. Arrived within a couple of days.
Will only know if the chain is any good after a few years use - but it looks much shinier than the Seago chain, and stamped MF which confirms it is the Italian made chain I ordered.
Thanks for the recommendation RivalRedwing.
Click to expand...
your comments align with my experience :)
 
I just ordered and received some chain from Boat Gear Direct. Excellent price and really very helpful customer service. They went out of their way to help. Highly recommended
 
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