A Short Story About An Anchor Swivel

[Terry Cox]

Our 1991 P42 came with an anchor swivel that has held up well over the years. Since taking possession in 2002 we have anchored hundreds of times all over PNW waters and in some very strong sea conditions. Alas it is time to retire this device due to its time-tolled deteriorating state. Such began the hunt for a replacement that has taken several days of searching. It seems most marine chandleries have resorted to stocking off shore products that bring some degree of distrust to such an important piece of equipment.

My requirements remain simple; it must be made in the USA and it must be hot dipped galvanized. One store rep told me good luck finding one anything less than $90-100. Everything around here were made in China and galvanized. No thanks. A Seattle company rep told me that to bring mine in and he was sure he could find something that would work.

Defender carries a swivel that is hot galvanized, but they referred me to their supplier, ALP who was unable to clarify my questions. They in turn referred me to the manufacturer, Chicago Hardware. at 847/455-6609. Mike was very helpful and said that yes, their swivel is hot dipped galvanized, made in the USA, 1260 pounds working load and dropped forged steel. Total price including tax and shipping, wait for it, $32.

Crew will rest well while at anchor in knowing that that weak link has been replaced. The picture below shows the swivel in fair condition, but upon close inspection notice the slightly bent pin and the worn welded nut that secures the swivel joint. Just say'n.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Are you talking about the chain to rode connection? I haven't use a swivel there for years. I use a splice around the final link. I've used that for many many cruising miles with zero trouble

https://www.neropes.com/services/splicing/3-strand-rope-to-chain-splice/

 

[Michael Davis]

Are you talking about the chain to rode connection? I haven't use a swivel there for years. I use a splice around the final link. I've used that for many many cruising miles with zero trouble

https://www.neropes.com/services/splicing/3-strand-rope-to-chain-splice/

I think @Terry Cox is talking about his chain to anchor connection. I splice my rode to chain connections too.

 

[Terry Cox]

You are correct, Michael. Hard to tell from the picture, but it is the chain to anchor connection. Helps to eliminate rode twist while at anchor.

 

[capta]

Before spending your money I would suggest you read Rod's take on them at marinehowto.com. I won't use one after reading that.

 

[jssailem]

I went with Mantus Swivel. I liked the design. I think it has an advantage over the traditional design.

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

Only used a couple of times. It worked as advertised.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I too have purchased a Mantus swivel in hope to eliminate the twists and the anchor coming up "backwards" into the anchor roller. It will be installed next spring.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I also don't use a swivel chain to anchor- just a heavy shackle. Never have any trouble at all with twist

 

[Terry Cox]

Before spending your money I would suggest you read Rod's take on them at marinehowto.com. I won't use one after reading that.

After reading the two paragraphs on the critical and important use, and mandated in some locales, of swivels at marine how to.com, it helped to reinforce my choice in the product I purchased. Their emphasis was more on moorings and pendants, not anchoring, but the swivel serves a similar purpose in both applications. Our boat came with a swivel, so unable to opine absent one. I figure if the original lasted almost thirty years, this new one should last a few. The article did suggest replacing the swivel every two or three years, which seem overkill, IMHO.

 

[jssailem]

The article did suggest replacing the swivel every two or three years, which seem overkill, IMHO.

Perhaps the reason it seems like overkill for your boat use is because it is.
The mooring is in the water on a constant basis. Your swivel use only sees the water when your boat is at anchor. You should get nearly the equivalent use when you have anchored for 900 plus nights.

 

[shemandr]

Isn't a swivel the weakest link in the chain rode system? I haven't re-visited the arithmetic lately but 1260 lbs. WL seems a bit light. I thought swivels had fallen out of favor decades ago.

 

[Terry Cox]

Perhaps the reason it seems like overkill for your boat use is because it is.
The mooring is in the water on a constant basis. Your swivel use only sees the water when your boat is at anchor. You should get nearly the equivalent use when you have anchored for 900 plus nights.

A very salient point there, John.

 

[Terry Cox]

Isn't a swivel the weakest link in the chain rode system? I haven't re-visited the arithmetic lately but 1260 lbs. WL seems a bit light. I thought swivels had fallen out of favor decades ago.

What would be an acceptable working load in your mind? Do swivels serve an important function, or are they just a placebo?

 

[All U Get]

I’ve been using a shackle instead of the swivel, my wife has learned not to twist the chain.

 

[jssailem]

Twisting your chain is worse than getting your panties in a bunch.

 

[All U Get]

Twisting your chain is worse than getting your panties in a bunch.

That can only be discussed over drinks.

 

[capta]

We use a swivel on our mooring. A huge oversized one, 1 1/4' on 5/8 chain and 1 1/4" nylon. But I still cannot see the value in an anchor rode swivel.
I do have an off topic question, why do you run the chain under the second roller? I would assume that puts a lot of extra stress on the windlass and tears up rollers pretty quickly.

 

[capta]

I went with Mantus Swivel. I liked the design. I think it has an advantage over the traditional design.

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

Only used a couple of times. It worked as advertised.

After the incredible failure of the original Mantus anchor snubber hook, I'd be hesitant to buy a product from them that could cost me my boat.

 

[Terry Cox]

We use a swivel on our mooring. A huge oversized one, 1 1/4' on 5/8 chain and 1 1/4" nylon. But I still cannot see the value in an anchor rode swivel.
I do have an off topic question, why do you run the chain under the second roller? I would assume that puts a lot of extra stress on the windlass and tears up rollers pretty quickly.

The photo angle is deceiving. The two aft rollers are directly in parallel, one above the other, which is the way it came from the factory. I'm assuming the upper one was placed to prevent the chain from jumping out of the bow roller channel, for whatever reason. The smaller rollers have held up well, with the lower one getting the most wear. I've replaced it twice in almost 30 years of regular use. The upper roller does get some use, coming in handy when paying rode by hand, keeping the rode in the channel. A larger roller on the front is original and has many years of service left. The arrangement places no undue stress on the windlass that I can tell. The design works quite well and am pleased with the system's performance over the years.

 

[shemandr]

What would be an acceptable working load in your mind? Do swivels serve an important function, or are they just a placebo?

I'm sorry to answer without numbers but I don't know the size of other components of the rode system i.e. the chain, clevis pin of the shackle, the anchor rating or windage of the boat. For example ACCO BBB 3/8 chain has a working load limit of 2,650 lbs. So I would want a swivel approaching that. I'm guessing they are either very expensive or not readily available, as OP said.