Anchor swivels revisited

[Snotter]

I did a search on swivels in the archives and found a lot of old postes. Many of the posts were anti-swivel themed. I'm starting to think that I should consder using one.

I took my old anchor chain rode (~250 feet) in to have it re-galvanized. (BTW-I don't think I will be doing that again.) While feeding the chain through the gypsy (or is wildcat) on my windless, I noticed that the whole chain is twisted and is starting to create problems when going through the windless.

The boat is a Morgan 41 out island and weighs ~30,000 lbs. The anchor is a 45lb CQR. I'm sorry but I don't know the chain size right now. The chain is tired but I can get a few more years out of it because I am sailing protected fresh-water inland lakes right now (TN River) that have sandy bottoms. Am I right to consider a swivel? If so, what brand should I get? Should I use a SS jaw-to-jaw swivel? I don't want to switch to rope because: the windless is set up for chain; chain is very compact; my beamy heavey boat is more than capable of absorbing the weight of an all-chain rode; and, I am planning to go blue-water sailing in a few years.

 

[Ron McCoy]

Consider that when you either lower or raise the anchor any twist in the chain will come out as the anchor is hanging free in the water. I'd recommend you drop you entire chain through the windlass (Ok to do this in your marina slip), then bring the chain up through the windlass. As the chain is being recovered any twist is going to be move toward the anchor. As the anchor swings off the bottom, the twist will come out.
I personally don't like adding a swivel to the chain as it's one (or two) more points of failure. By rewinding the chain ever so often, you shouldn't have a twist problem either.

 

[heart of gold]

I am interested in this too as I did purchase one for the same reason. I found a stainless steel swivel to adapt 1/4in G4 chain to my new anchor. Its load rating seemed more than enough at 6000lbs. I generally seek out quiet anchorages here on the west coast.

 

[w4pyleii]

I'd just untwist it as needed. You could even unshackle the anchor and throw all the chain overboard while in deeper water and let it untwist itself.

I was on a mooring all last summer without a swivel. Every other week or so i'd untwist the chain and throw it back in, good to go.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Maine Sail reported that he's been anchoring "for quite some time" (!) and hasn't seen the need for it.

Me, too.

Just another unnecessary point of failure for no real improvement in performance.

I think that's what most all of the "anti-swivel" posts were all about.

 

[Ron20324]

I don't think the chain would untwist as it is raised if the anchor and a pile of chain are still down. Kind of like a telephone cord when you have to let the receiver hang in the air so it spins and un-coils. In the Chesapeake Bay there is a "hole" at 132 feet where I let the anchor/rode out once a season to unwind.

 

[Snotter]

The chain is fine for sailing the TN River lakes, but not for blue water sailing. The chain will be replaced when I shove off and leave my inland life. I am leaning towards a swivel for this rode but will not use it on a new rode. I like the idea of dropping the entire anchor overboard in deep water; however, there is no deep water where I'm at now. Furthermore, I just had the chain galvanized and don't want to drag it over concrete to untwist it.

 

[All U Get]

I don't think the chain would untwist as it is raised if the anchor and a pile of chain are still down. Kind of like a telephone cord when you have to let the receiver hang in the air so it spins and un-coils. In the Chesapeake Bay there is a "hole" at 132 feet where I let the anchor/rode out once a season to unwind.

That hole must be near Washington where they've been throwing my tax money.
:cussing:
All U Get