Joining sections of chain

[Captain Larry-DH]

Crosby C-links are your best choice if you want to join sections of chain and have them run smoothly through the gypsy.
Be aware that this becomes an inspection/maintenance item, and the weakest link, roughly half the strength of the chain if you have G40 or G43 chain.
If properly peened, I have never heard of one failing. Some people bridge the C-link and add 3/16“ or 1/4” dyneema lashings as backup.
I’ve used them for many years but change them annually. The galvanizing is especially subject to scars during installation.
The link shown in my picture is after one full year of heavy year-round use. I replaced the entire chain (other sections were also worn) so now I’m not using any joiners.

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Larry. Thanks for the info. I would never use one of those to join two pieces of chain. Just not worth the risk, IMHO.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Hi Larry. Thanks for the info. I would never use one of those to join two pieces of chain. Just not worth the risk, IMHO.

It can be. It’s a judgement call and I’d argue it’s not a big risk. The C-link is reliable, and you might cringe at the idea of introducing a known weak link in high-tensile chain but if you were using BBB it would be a close match. In reality most sailors will replace anchor chain long before it has a significant reduction in strength because the galvanizing is worn out.
What if your boat came with 150 ft of chain and you want to occasionally anchor in deeper water, your primary chain is in good shape and you want reserve scope in your locker but usually won't use it? You’d think long and hard before throwing out good chain and spending a boat buck to replace it all.

 

[colemj]

It can be. It’s a judgement call and I’d argue it’s not a big risk. The C-link is reliable, and you might cringe at the idea of introducing a known weak link in high-tensile chain but if you were using BBB it would be a close match. In reality most sailors will replace anchor chain long before it has a significant reduction in strength because the galvanizing is worn out.
What if your boat came with 150 ft of chain and you want to occasionally anchor in deeper water, your primary chain is in good shape and you want reserve scope in your locker but usually won't use it? You’d think long and hard before throwing out good chain and spending a boat buck to replace it all.

Yes, we use them for that purpose - we have 175' of like new chain, but wanted more and added another 100' of new chain instead of buying 275' of new and throwing out that 175'. Almost always we are on that 175', but occasionally dip into that 100'. I do back ours up with dyneema lashings, but much smaller than 3/16", as that seems too large to work well. Smaller with multiple turns is as least as strong and goes through the windlass better.

Our seem to last a bit longer than yours. Here it is after a bit more than 2yrs.

Will probably replace it soon, and I just got one of these links to try. They are G70, and you need one a size smaller than the chain to fit the gypsy (5/16" for our 3/8" chain). The G70 brings the smaller link into the chain's rating. I don't know how well it will fit in through the gypsy yet in use, but it seems to fit well when the narrow side is in the gypsy groove, but sits high when the wide side is in the groove. The wide side would also fit if they had drilled the cotter pin holes a bit closer to the link and made the pins that much shorter - it is the pins that don't fit well because they are too long. You can see the extra length in the pic. My plan is to just watch as that link comes to the gypsy and manually lift it over or twist it edge-way if needed.

 

[colemj]

BTW, the rust that shows is much less than it looks, and the link is in better shape than it appears. Every time I've cut one of these off, the interior is good metal and after the rust is removed, the dimensions have not changed much from original.

Mark

 

[Terry Cox]

What if your boat came with 150 ft of chain and you want to occasionally anchor in deeper water, your primary chain is in good shape and you want reserve scope in your locker but usually won't use it? You’d think long and hard before throwing out good chain and spending a boat buck to replace it all.

I have two sections of chain in our locker (separate from our spare); 50' G4 primary and 50' G4 secondary connected with 150' of nylon three strand on each. So, if I need to go really deep with our anchor I have the means. One could consider that three strand connection the same risk as a connector link. Most any kind of splice (swivel, shackle, etc.) introduces a risk point, eh?

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Most any kind of splice (swivel, shackle, etc.) introduces a risk point, eh?

IMHO just another maintenance item. The last link of chain tends to rust beneath the rope splice, but should be good for at least 4 or 5 years before cutting it off and re-splicing. I think the bigger risk is with the nylon being chafed and cut by sharp objects on or near the bottom. Met someone last year whose boat went for an unscheduled sail due to that issue.
I used rope/chain rodes for many years on my trimaran, because the boat was very weight sensitive and I couldn’t carry much chain without performance issues. All-chain is far more reliable and it’s preferred for a cruising boat.
ps - On all-chain the boat also meanders less on the hook in mild conditions, a very important trait when anchored near other boats.

 

[Terry Cox]

The last link of chain tends to rust beneath the rope splice,

Agree, Larry, which is how I've connected the two sections of rode. However, I use a thimble/shackle connection for my main chain/rope connection, which is less prone to corrosion.

 

[dLj]

There are chain connectors called figure 8 connectors, some are rated for overhead use meaning they are very high strength. It looks like they would go through a gypsy but I haven't tried so I don't actually know.

dj

p.s. I've gone to all chain. Definitely agree it's much better that rope/chain.

p.p.s here's a link on McMaster
McMaster-Carr Page:
McMaster-Carr