proper way to "splice" a chain ?

Bob 04 H260

Bob 04 H260

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May 16, 2007
1,509
Boatless ! 26 Ottawa, Ontario
is there a proper way to slice two pieces of chain together ?

I have a piece of 1/4" 70 ft long and my present anchor rode has 150' of 1/2" 3 strand spiced to 30ft of 1/4" chain. I would like to join the new chain to the existing anchor rode.

I looked at the cast links that you can lock together with a hammer, they are all made in China, look like they would be the weakest link.

I have access to a tig welder, open a link and then fill in the gap ? two good quality shackles ?

thanks......
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,047
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
What you are looking for is called a CONNECTING LINK, not a quick link or other types. Sure, you can choose to buy a complete chain replacement, your boat your choice. I installed a connecting link 10 years ago, I check it regularly, it's still working just fine. You can check the working loads of various parts of your anchoring SYSTEM in reply #6 here, and then make your own decision: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4990.0.html
 
C

Cayennita

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Nov 28, 2009
495
Catalina 30 St. Croix
If it is going through a windlass then you need a connecting link that will make it through the gypsy. Otherwise, buy a swivel link that comes with shackles. A good weld is as strong as the chain if done right. I would not do it though.
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,086
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Since this was addressed to Mainesail and he hasn't chimed in please note that he did respond in Stu's Catalina website thread about anchor swivels. I too have never used one in almost 30 years of anchoring and never once wished I had one. Chain can be twisted quite easily and is a trick used to shorten a safety chain when trailering a boat. I can't imagine any conditions where the chain would even twist one turn in an anchor set up.
Having just survived Hurricane Irene in NC anchored in a creek my boat survived while most around me didn't. I was not happy with my ground tackle for the conditions and have taken steps to upgrade this week. I visited Defender yesterday and bought a 35 pound Manson Supreme that I will use with 3/8 chain and 7/16 shackle with the red pin (not sure brand but much better shackle than the cheap ones. Also 3 times more expensive. Finally a 5/8 nylon 3 strand. I will deploy this with a 35 pound CQR with the same chain and shackles, and a 40 pound danforth knockoff I got at ACE Marine with the same chain and shackles.
In the hurricane my anchors dragged some but the combination of three anchors reduces the load on any one depending on the angle of pull. If a direct straight line and the anchor drags eventually another anchor comes into play sharing the load. For angles of wind not directly in line with an anchor the load is shared by two anchors. The boat also won't swing wildly and changes in wind direction causes the boat to rotate and apply the load to another anchor. In Irene the wind went around the compass as I was close to the eye. As I mentioned it worked but realize there is room for improvement and I'd rather spend a few bucks than have the hassle of salvaging the boat. A lot of boats nearby will need a crane and barge to get them out of the woods.
A friend that has worked in the salvage industry for years and is a commercial captain of research vessels and recently started a charter business has a great method. He uses a rotary swaged cable harness with rubber sleeves for chafe. He put in a several hundred pound anchor years ago and logged the location on his GPS. In a storm he grapples for the anchor and hooks up and it is so buried I can't imagine it moving at all. Only issue is the connection to the anchor to check for corrosion.
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,709
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
#1 Personally I do not like splicing chain and would not do it on our boat..

Chain can be put in situations while anchoring where it can twist, get side loaded or catch on or under things that could potentially "pop" a splicing link.

All the testing I have seen of chain splicing "C" links is in straight line pull tests. I would love to see data on how the rivets hold up under a twisted chain stuck under a rock or coral head with a 30 knot blow...? As of yet I have not seen these tests and I don't personally like trusting our boat to four peened over teeny tiny rivets. If I had to splice I would use two load rated shackles like those made by Crosby..

#2 I do not like swivels, if they can be avoided. For average coastal cruising I have never found an ounce of need for one. We anchor approx 100-150 times per season. Sometimes three-four times per day. Maine has very variable tidal swings and nearly every night on the hook we do a full 360 yet have still never had any issues with twist.


If you must splice your chain here is some testing data:

http://coxengineering.co.uk/Clinks.aspx
 
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