Legend 40.5 - Anchor chain stowage

Rich Stidger · Jan 28, 2022

Same issue. I just stop the chain and kick it down with my foot.
Edited to add: 5/16 G4 chain

Benny17441 · Jan 28, 2022

What size is the chain? Anything over 1/2 inch would be dead weight.

twistedskipper · Jan 28, 2022

Is it possible to mount a more slippery surface on the slope - a slick sheet of thin rigid plastic maybe? Or maybe even sheet stainless steel? So the chain might be less likely to catch on the slope?

DayDreamer41 · Jan 28, 2022

I would venture a guess that this is a common characteristic and a result of where the windless is mounted, but it really couldn't be mounted any further forward. I guess a crafty engineering type individual could develop a guide for the chain coming off the windless allowing it to drop toward the center of the locker.

smokey73 · Jan 28, 2022

Same problem. Like Rich, I just stop the winch and kick it down or use a short stick. MAKE SURE you do not allow the backed up chain to reach the underside of the winch where it feeds off the gypsy. If you do there is a chance the backed up chain will kick the chain off the gypsy and then immediatly drop!! Could be very dangerous and don't try to stop it if it is running free of the gypsy!

AndyL · Jan 29, 2022

Same problem. Same stick poking solution. I'd love to fix it but no idea what would work.

smokey73 · Jan 29, 2022

fero said:
It’s a brand new 5/16 chain, tried to grease the slope, not much better. Thanks for all comments.

I'd remove ALL of the grease. Grease tends to get "gummy" for this kind of application especially when it gets dirty. If I were going to try anything, I'd try Boeshield spray on the surface but that won't last long and may not be any better than the stick solution.

Rich Stidger · Jan 29, 2022

How about a wedge-shaped piece of PTFE that is high under the gypsy and tapers to zero at the edge of the sloping panel. It could serve to increase the overall slope and be naturally slippery at the same time.

Or make a 6" wide strip of rollers, like a roller conveyor belt that the chain would roll instead of sliding? The rollers could be made from PTFE tubing running on S/S bolts or pins. This would be placed under the gypsy.

twistedskipper · Jan 29, 2022

fero said:
It’s a brand new 5/16 chain, tried to grease the slope, not much better. Thanks for all comments.

I wouldn't think grease would help that much, since this is a low-pressure friction scenario. The grease might even increase the friction/stickiness.

In fact, I'm not sure that friction is the root problem here, strictly speaking. The bumpiness of the sliding surface might be the biggest problem, assuming it is un-faired non-gelcoated fiberglass.

I was thinking mostly of applying a solid sheet material with a slick surface, such as plastic or stainless steel.

But I don't know what your anchor chain well/locker looks like, so I don't know if applying a sheet of something will even work for you.

twistedskipper · Mar 21, 2022

fero said:
I have tried something different, I usually anchor in 15 to 20 feet rarely 25 ft so50 to 75 feet of chain is enough practically all the time. I loaded half of the chain over the line hold (see picture) big improvement, chain will still bunch a bit but needs only slight push to slide in.

Does the chain bunch up on the slide area just downstream of the windlass, or further down in the chain locker? If on that slide area, then that's where I was thinking that maybe a slicker surface might help, such as hard shiny plastic or stainless steel sheet.

Kings Gambit · Mar 21, 2022

The short answer is "replace with SS chain." It's slippery; does not crust over, does not kink in windlass. Does pile up some, but slides earlier. Disregard the negative comments from those who do not use SS; except the ones about price!