To swivel or not to swivel

[NYSail]

So I know the fears of the weakest link and I’ve always just said yea no way…… but I see the benefits and know of others that use them without issues.
We anchor whenever we are traveling….. 250 feet of 3/8bbb and rocna 25 (55lbs).
Hear the robustness of the mantis swivel is second to none…..

love to hear experience with to settle my nerves having this link.

Thanks
Greg

 

[twodzusfittings]

I love mine. I made sure I was well familiar with the art and reasons of secure wire tying before assembling.

 

[dLj]

I use the Mantus swivel. No relation to Mantus, just a happy customer. They aren't cheap. I did get mine at a discount at the Annapolis Boat show.

dj

Mantus Swivel

The Strongest Link in Your Chain. Mantus swivel is stronger than its corresponding Grade 40 chain. (WLL is 1/5 UBS) Integrated shackle design completely eliminates side loading making this the safest swivel on the market.

www.mantusmarine.com

 

[dlochner]

I have always been in the no-swivel group. After hundreds of times with the anchor always coming up facing the right way, I was convinced. Recently the chain developed a twist which caused it to come up backwards. Now I am rethinking my position.

 

[thinwater]

I have always been in the no-swivel group. After hundreds of times with the anchor always coming up facing the right way, I was convinced. Recently the chain developed a twist which caused it to come up backwards. Now I am rethinking my position.

^^ This. All a swivel does for me is insure that it will be backwards 50% of the time.

If the boat is backing when you recover the anchor it will alighn with the flow and come up the right way round. Sometimes the chain will rotate between the roller and the windlass, but then it is simple to remove the twist while lowering. Then recover right way round.

If I wanted to turn the anchor, I would get a Boomerang. I've tested them, they work.
Boomerang anchor turner

I do NOT favor the ones that clamp to the anchor; too much side stress on the attachment and not enough time during recovery for the anchor to turn over. There should be chain between the turner and the anchor. Common sense.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I think every swivel I ever used on a boat did not swivel much to correct twisting while under load. An anchor swivel IMO is mostly yet another piece of gear that must be maintained, and a potential point of functional failure if not maintained. Why do we need one? Its purpose is to “straighten out” the anchor as the rode is recovered? Doesn’t the chain itself “untwist” while being raised, including the anchor, on its own? Don’t you need any other gear for your boat? Maybe need to replace the chain?

 

[Rich Stidger]

If I wanted to turn the anchor, I would get a Boomerang. I've tested them, they work.
Boomerang anchor turner

I do NOT favor the ones that clamp to the anchor; too much side stress on the attachment and not enough time during recovery for the anchor to turn over. There should be chain between the turner and the anchor. Common sense.

Years ago I had a device called "The Missing Link". It's design was very much like the Boomerang, but the Boomerang is much simpler. Having said that, if I had known about the Boomerang I probably would have bought it instead of the Mantus swivel.
But I am quite happy with the Mantus and my opinion is that it is the best swivel available.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I think every swivel I ever used on a boat did not swivel much to correct twisting while under load. An anchor swivel IMO is mostly yet another piece of gear that must be maintained, and a potential point of functional failure if not maintained. Why do we need one? Its purpose is to “straighten out” the anchor as the rode is recovered? Doesn’t the chain itself “untwist” while being raised, including the anchor, on its own? Don’t you need any other gear for your boat? Maybe need to replace the chain?

My experience is that the chain by itself does not un-twist at retrieval. I think the swivel does help, but the best method is to back up after the anchor is off the bottom and the water flowing over the anchor will straighten it out. This technique probably depends upon the anchor design, but it works well for my plow-type Manson Supreme anchor.

 

[thinwater]

My experience is that the chain by itself does not un-twist at retrieval. I think the swivel does help, but the best method is to back up after the anchor is off the bottom and the water flowing over the anchor will straighten it out. This technique probably depends upon the anchor design, but it works well for my plow-type Manson Supreme anchor.

^^ Exactly.

 

[Foswick]

I don't think there is a clear argument one way or the other. To me, a swivel is a solution looking for a problem that isn't that big of a deal. And, I mostly sail in an area where winds and currents can spin you around dozens of times in a single day. My feeling (not experience) about swivels is that they really only do much when well-maintained.

But, frame this within the context of me. I tend to think that people worry way too much about ground tackle and that anchoring isn't as complicated as people try to make it. Get a good anchor, plenty of chain, make sure it's all in good shape, pick a good spot, set the anchor well, use generous scope, pay attention to what it's doing ... that's about it. I tend to eschew any equipment or ideas that add much more to that. In my case, we pull the anchor up off the floor and let it hang a bit before bringing it the rest of the way up. And, we rarely leave an anchor set for more than a day or two. So, it just isn't a problem that I need solved.

Not to say that they don't provide some benefit. I say, if you see a problem that a good swivel would solve, go for it.