Chain splice

[Hayden Watson]

In 6 knots current a kellet would be totally ineffective at preventing a keel wrap, even with heavy chain. ...

I must not have been clear in my discription of events. The current in Deception pass was 6 knots but I was anchored in the mouth of a small bat [Cornet Bay] which is just inside the pass and it still had something more than 2 knots of current.

6 knots would be rather too spicy for my taste although I did anchor once in 2.75 nots of current as indicated by my "boat speed" on the hook. After a few hours, the current reversed and then the other way at 2.5knots. Love That oversized Mantus anchor.

 

[Hayden Watson]

The ACCO 5/16" G43 chain has a WL of 3900#. The Crosby G-335 link is 3/8" (that is the proper size for 5/15" chain) and has a WL of 2750#.

So the Crosby American-Made Forged link (not a Chinese POS) has a WL that is 70% of the G43 chain.

I have used this combination for years and sleep soundly. IMHO, if you are in a situation where the pull on the anchor is over 2750#, and the anchor is actually holding at that load, I think you have bigger problems than any possibility of a Crosby link failure.

But, your boat, your choice.

I was looking at the dimensions on this Crosby G-335 link in the 3/8" size and it does have the same strength as a 5/16" G43 chain but it is dimensionally larger.

dimension Lewmar Crosbey
in-to-in 1.03" 1.13"
out-to-out 1.69" 2.06"
Width 1.168" 1.38"
Diameter 0.329" 0.41"

Anybody know if the gypsy can handle this amount of error for a single link or will it jamb up everything it goes through the windlass?

 

[Foswick]

Just to give an opinion, not a real answer - I doubt it will jam or hurt anything. Full disclosure: This isn't in my wheelhouse. Just being the random guy who stands there on the dock with a coffee mug, looking at it and says, "Should be fine."

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

I was looking at the dimensions on this Crosby G-335 link in the 3/8" size and it does have the same strength as a 5/16" G43 chain but it is dimensionally larger.

dimension Lewmar Crosbey
in-to-in 1.03" 1.13"
out-to-out 1.69" 2.06"
Width 1.168" 1.38"
Diameter 0.329" 0.41"

Anybody know if the gypsy can handle this amount of error for a single link or will it jamb up everything it goes through the windlass?

You will not be able to fit a 3/8” C-link into a 5/16” chain. End of story. Not even if you grind down the high spots formed by the peening peaks.
I suggest you buy the right size C-Link and if concerned about strength, augment it with 3/16” dyneema lashings between the 2 sections. IMHO the lashings are superfluous, not needed. Check the c-link annually for rust. It’s a maintenance item.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Anybody know if the gypsy can handle this amount of error for a single link or will it jamb up everything it goes through the windlass?

I just installed new chain and a piece of older chain with the 3/8" Crosby link. After peening, you have to work the connecting link and the G43 chain to get them to align, but it runs flawlessly through my gypsy - no jumping, no binding, no noise. The initial link aligning issue is due to the difference in diameter of the link.
I haven't found any connecting link that is smaller that the 3/8" Crosby that has more strength.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

I just installed new chain and a piece of older chain with the 3/8" Crosby link. After peening, you have to work the connecting link and the G43 chain to get them to align, but it runs flawlessly through my gypsy - no jumping, no binding, no noise. The initial link aligning issue is due to the difference in diameter of the link.
I haven't found any connecting link that is smaller that the 3/8" Crosby that has more strength.

You didn‘t say chain size. I’d be very surprised if you were able to get a 3/8” c-link to fit 5/16” chain. It’s a tight fit in 3/8” chain.
Also, make sure the peening pins aren’t standing proud. If they are, the chain might kink again when it falls into the locker and jam at the windlass on the way out.

 

[Hayden Watson]

You will not be able to fit a 3/8” C-link into a 5/16” chain. End of story. Not even if you grind down the high spots formed by the peening peaks.
I suggest you buy the right size C-Link and if concerned about strength, augment it with 3/16” dyneema lashings between the 2 sections. IMHO the lashings are superfluous, not needed. Check the c-link annually for rust. It’s a maintenance item.

Crosby does not make a 5/16" hidden link. The go from 1/4" to 3/8". I have looked over the specifications for the 3/8" G-335 and cannot see any dimension what would not be compatible with the 5/16" G43 chain.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Crosby does not make a 5/16" hidden link. The go from 1/4" to 3/8". I have looked over the specifications for the 3/8" G-335 and cannot see any dimension what would not be compatible with the 5/16" G43 chain.

I’ve worked with 3/8” c-links in 38” chain. It’s tight. If you try it with 5/16” please let us know how it works out.