Anchor chain corrosion - cause for concern?

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skunther

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Feb 16, 2021
323
Hunter Legend 35.5 Bellingham
I’ve noticed accumulation of rust flakes around my windlass when dropping anchor, and see some flaking corrosion on many chain links. It is G4 chain, which I thought was essentially corrosion proof.
I know some rust isn’t cause for concern, but this seems to be diminishing some link diameters. Am I at the point where I should replace my chain? Is this amount of corrosion normal for G4? If not, why would this be corroding so significantly?
If I need new chain, how do I mitigate such corrosion in the future?
 

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JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,714
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
skunther said:
If not, why would this be corroding so significantly?
Click to expand
Water dripping on or regularly exposed to rain on Windlass and/or chain.

If the rest of your chain is not so exposed you can cut off bad and add new.

Jim...

PS: you can lose 125% of the link diameter and still be ok.
 
dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,848
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
skunther said:
I’ve noticed accumulation of rust flakes around my windlass when dropping anchor, and see some flaking corrosion on many chain links. It is G4 chain, which I thought was essentially corrosion proof.
I know some rust isn’t cause for concern, but this seems to be diminishing some link diameters. Am I at the point where I should replace my chain? Is this amount of corrosion normal for G4? If not, why would this be corroding so significantly?
If I need new chain, how do I mitigate such corrosion in the future?
Click to expand
Your first photo shows come links that look a bit dicey. The second photo shows links that look like they could be re-galvanized. Hard to really know, the devil is in the details, as the saying goes... How many feet of chain do you have? If you lost say 10 feet off the worst end, would that be too much for where you anchor? Just a thought, if you could cut off the worst of it, get the rest re-galvanized, you might be able to save a fair bit of $'s....

dj
 
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,714
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
JamesG161 said:
you can lose 125% of the link diameter and still be ok.
Click to expand
opps :facepalm:
The link diameter has a 125% over design factor. So depending of the link Size, you may lose some metal and still be ok.

Jim...
 
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D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,290
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
JamesG161 said:
opps :facepalm:
The link diameter has a 125% over design factor. So depending of the link Size, you may lose some metal and still be ok.

Jim...
Click to expand
Dang, I was going to take your argument to the bank and explain why I spent 125% of my account balance and that wouldn't be a problem. :cool: :beer:
 
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jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
I have a vague recollection of looking into re-galvanizing my anchor chain and concluding it would be cheaper and easier to just buy new chain. I seem to recall that the galvanizers deal with large quantities of things, and it wasn't worth it to them to do my measly 125'.

Has anyone had chain regalvanized? What did it cost?

Thanks.
 
dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,848
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
jviss said:
Has anyone had chain regalvanized? What did it cost?

Thanks.
Click to expand
Not in a long time, but there was a thread on here not overly long ago and someone had pointed to company still doing small orders here in North America (not many left due to EPA regs) and they published their cost on their web site as i recall.

I'm on my phone right now or I'd look it up and give you the link but you should be able to search for it.

dj
 
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jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
dLj said:
Not in a long time, but there was a thread on here not overly long ago and someone had pointed to company still doing small orders here in North America (not many left due to EPA regs) and they published their cost on their web site as i recall.

I'm on my phone right now or I'd look it up and give you the link but you should be able to search for it.

dj
Click to expand
The only one I could find with a quick search that does small lots and chain, etc., is in Seattle. I imagine that shipping the chain both ways, plus the $1.40 per pound they charge, wouldn't be worth if for someone in the Northeast. New 5/16" G4 is around $4.27 per pound at Defender with free shipping. 5/16" G4 is 1.1 lb. per foot.

I'm surprised I haven't found a galvanizer in New Bedford!
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,290
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
jviss said:
New 5/16" G4 is around $4.27 per pound at Defender with free shipping. 5/16" G4 is 1.1 lb. per foot.
Click to expand
Defender's "free shipping" isn't always free. Larger heavier items, like chain, will ship motor freight. You don't get the shipping details until you are ready to check out.
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
dlochner said:
Defender's "free shipping" isn't always free. Larger heavier items, like chain, will ship motor freight. You don't get the shipping details until you are ready to check out.
Click to expand
Gotcha, thanks!
 
dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,848
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
jviss said:
The only one I could find with a quick search that does small lots and chain, etc., is in Seattle. I imagine that shipping the chain both ways, plus the $1.40 per pound they charge, wouldn't be worth if for someone in the Northeast. New 5/16" G4 is around $4.27 per pound at Defender with free shipping. 5/16" G4 is 1.1 lb. per foot.

I'm surprised I haven't found a galvanizer in New Bedford!
Click to expand
There used to be a galanizer very close to you but they stopped doing it because of costs of maintaining the regs. I'm pretty sure there are galvanizers still running down in like Tennessee. Still might be far to ship. But @dlochner is right - you aren't getting free shiping out of Defender on chain...

dj
 
Terry Cox

Terry Cox

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Dec 25, 2000
5,863
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
skunther said:
If I need new chain, how do I mitigate such corrosion in the future?
Click to expand
How old is your chain? Considering the condition of your chain, it would be a waste of time/money to re-galvanize, IMHO. Go with new.

We used our 1991 original 30' hot dipped galvanized chain many times over the years and it looked nothing like yours when I replaced it in 2015 with 50' of ACCO brand (Made in USA) hot dipped galvanized 5/16" G4 chain in order to obtain a bit better holding weight. Our 2015 chain has spent a lot of time in sea water and it looks the same now as it did then.

Big difference between galvanized and hot dipped galvanized chain. Was unable to source our new chain locally as I wanted a USA made hot dipped galvanized brand. An industrial chain supplier in Seattle was my nearest source. Everett suppliers including big box stores carried mostly off shore galvanized brands, not hot dipped.

When I finish each cruise, I wash the chain/rode/anchor well with fresh water to help extend the life of the windlass and all that goes with it.
 
Last edited:
JamesG161

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,714
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
dlochner said:
Dang, I was going to take your argument to the bank and explain why I spent 125% of my account balance
Click to expand
Like my Wife?:facepalm:

She tells them to use her credit card for the overcharge.
_______

Terry Cox said:
When I finish each cruise, I wash the chain/rode/anchor well with fresh water to help extend the life of the windlass and all that goes with it.
Click to expand
:plus::plus:

But clean Salt water is ok too.

We have a sea water pump to wash anchors and deck.
Outlet is installed inside our anchor locker.

IMG_2022.jpg


After 20 years of anchor chain use...

Should I replace our 2 chains?

Jim...

PS: What galvanization is left?
 
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dLj

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
3,848
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
JamesG161 said:
PS: What galvanization is left?
Click to expand
Actually, there may be some left. The innermost layer of hot dipped galvanize has a high iron content so may appear "rusty" when in fact that layer is still protecting your chain.... Certainly can't tell you from the photos...

dj
 
S

skunther

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Feb 16, 2021
323
Hunter Legend 35.5 Bellingham
JamesG161 said:
opps :facepalm:
The link diameter has a 125% over design factor. So depending of the link Size, you may lose some metal and still be ok.

Jim...
Click to expand
I’m still confused on this. Are you saying I can lose 20% of chain (so the chain has now lost 1/5 of its diameter and is now 100% of it’s design factor instead of 125% as you said), and the chain will still have good holding strength?
We are on Sucia, headed to the Gulf Islands for several weeks tomorrow. Do I need to replace this chain ASAP or can we complete our trip and replace it after?
 
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