Tinto
Active member
Hi
Would anyone have recommendations as to who the best value (not cheapest) chain stockist is ?
Thanks!
Would anyone have recommendations as to who the best value (not cheapest) chain stockist is ?
Thanks!
Where to buy chain?
- Thread starter Tinto
- Start date
Boathook
Well-known member
I've used EYE marine or sometimes known as BGD, boat gear direct. Good friendly service and very happy to deal with phone calls. Jimmy Green marine is also good so make your choice.
Depending on boat size, windlass or not, etc consider G70 chain. If you were looking at standard 8mm you could downsize to 6mm with G70.
Depending on boat size, windlass or not, etc consider G70 chain. If you were looking at standard 8mm you could downsize to 6mm with G70.
dolabriform
Well-known member
Poignard
Well-known member
I bought mine from Griff Chains Ltd., Dudley, West Midlands.
At that time they made the chain they sold but I'm not sure if that is still the case.
At that time they made the chain they sold but I'm not sure if that is still the case.
Neeves
Well-known member
I'd check Vyv Cox' website as he has a section on testing the quality of the galvanising. Its a simple, cheap and quick method. The galvanising quality determines the life of the chain you buy though as life is 'about' 1,000 days at anchor most people will sell their yacht before they reach the end of life of chain. Most chain used is over strength for the yacht - you are unlikely to test the WLL.
There are exceptions but most chain is now made in China (Italy and USA bucks the trend). Reports on poor quality have been noticeable by their absence and as long as you are buying from a reputable supplier then buying on price seems as good a method as anything.
If you are considering a new windlass then buying a smaller chain than is currently on your yacht is a consideration (as much chain on yachts is too big) and moving to a G70 chain will save weight and offer more space wherever the chain is stored. Buying a new gypsy for a smaller chain is an alternate, but expensive option, if you are down sizing. If you follow the new windlass and smaller chain option - the new windlass can be cheaper, use less power, need smaller cables (though I'd suggest stick with the bigger motor - the yacht remains the same size - and we all use the windlass to move the yacht toward the anchor, intentionally or not).
Chain is heavy and there is a cost if you want it to be delivered. Buying locally may save the delivery costs. Be warned 10mm chain is heavy and very difficult to move around, 8mm is not quite as heavy - but you will be unable to lift 50m in one lift. 6mm chain is a real eye opener (and you will wonder why you and everyone else used 8mm and in many case 10mm on your size of yacht).
Buying thus comes down to cost and location (of your yacht and the source).
Jonathan
Edit
I forgot - if you are looking at Vyv's website he also tested chain some years ago, and I think the results are part of the site. He was happy with chain strength then and there have been no reports of chain failure (due to a lack of strength) since then (though I may well have missed something). Chain galvanising quality is very difficult for the customer to judge ( basically impossible) to measure, but Vyv's test looks at the integrity of the galvanised coating strength to the underlying steel - ie will it flake or peel off. Gal life is a function of thickness of the coating and this is not specified. It is actually easy to measure with a pretty cheap instrument but is not quoted. A shiny gal surface simply means the chain is fresh and its shiny zinc you are looking at (and is meaningless). Gal is primarily an alloying process, the alloy layers are hard and the shiny surface is zinc - which is soft and soon wears off.
There are exceptions but most chain is now made in China (Italy and USA bucks the trend). Reports on poor quality have been noticeable by their absence and as long as you are buying from a reputable supplier then buying on price seems as good a method as anything.
If you are considering a new windlass then buying a smaller chain than is currently on your yacht is a consideration (as much chain on yachts is too big) and moving to a G70 chain will save weight and offer more space wherever the chain is stored. Buying a new gypsy for a smaller chain is an alternate, but expensive option, if you are down sizing. If you follow the new windlass and smaller chain option - the new windlass can be cheaper, use less power, need smaller cables (though I'd suggest stick with the bigger motor - the yacht remains the same size - and we all use the windlass to move the yacht toward the anchor, intentionally or not).
Chain is heavy and there is a cost if you want it to be delivered. Buying locally may save the delivery costs. Be warned 10mm chain is heavy and very difficult to move around, 8mm is not quite as heavy - but you will be unable to lift 50m in one lift. 6mm chain is a real eye opener (and you will wonder why you and everyone else used 8mm and in many case 10mm on your size of yacht).
Buying thus comes down to cost and location (of your yacht and the source).
Jonathan
Edit
I forgot - if you are looking at Vyv's website he also tested chain some years ago, and I think the results are part of the site. He was happy with chain strength then and there have been no reports of chain failure (due to a lack of strength) since then (though I may well have missed something). Chain galvanising quality is very difficult for the customer to judge ( basically impossible) to measure, but Vyv's test looks at the integrity of the galvanised coating strength to the underlying steel - ie will it flake or peel off. Gal life is a function of thickness of the coating and this is not specified. It is actually easy to measure with a pretty cheap instrument but is not quoted. A shiny gal surface simply means the chain is fresh and its shiny zinc you are looking at (and is meaningless). Gal is primarily an alloying process, the alloy layers are hard and the shiny surface is zinc - which is soft and soon wears off.
Last edited:
NormanS
Well-known member
It would depend on which continent you're in.
Charlie Boy
Well-known member
Tinto
Active member
Trident
Well-known member
Steel Chain | Stainless Steel & Galvanised | Hooks & Links | GS Products
Quick, cheaper than most and of course calibrated and tested
Quick, cheaper than most and of course calibrated and tested
vyv_cox
Well-known member
Have a look around local chandleries for drums of chain. They are usually marked with the supplier's name. William Hackett and Bainbridge are big importers from China who batch test and will issue a certificate. Good Chinese chain is the best in the world but this may not apply to the poor stuff
Tinto
Active member
Thanks everyone
