Using a swivel on anchor rode

[Ron McCoy]

I'm interested in how others set up their anchor rodes - with or without a swivel at the anchor/chain connection. On my Hunter 386, I have 100 ft of 5/16" HT chain backed with 150 ft of three strain nylon. The anchor is a 35# Manson Supreme. I do use a double-rotating swivel at the chain/rope connection which will feed through the windlass. I've heard that a swivel is not needed at the anchor itself, as any twist in the chain is removed once the rode is deployed and rehauled aboard. Has anyone known or experienced swivel failure? What are the best practices out there?

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I would guess that 99% don't use swivels. If you get a very rugged SS swivel designed for anchor use, I think you will find it very expensive and that is one reason people do not use them.

 

[soulesailor]

No swivel here.

I attach my 5/16" HT chain directly to the anchor with a shackle (and seized pin, of course) and haven't developed any desire for a swivel yet. I can't imagine it doing anything at anchor and any twist that may be in the chain is straightened when hauling the anchor back to the roller.

My theory is why add extra pieces to the puzzle that might fail?

 

[Maine Sail]

In

35+/- years of boating I've never once owned an anchor with a swivel and never had an issue. If you were anchoring out for weeks on end, in the same spot, it might be a way to justify one but not one I would personally choose. I would rather pull the anchor every now and then, let it un-twist and re-set it, than add a potential failure point to the ground tackle.

We see lots of tide / wind shifts up here in Maine and still I have never needed an anchor swivel.

 

[larryw]

In cruising Mexico and the Channel Islands with a 33lb Bruce on an all-chain rode, I've found that a swivel between the chain and anchor eliminates twist in the chain and makes raising the anchor with a windlass much easier.

 

[caguy]

Boat US advertises them for I think $150+, they claim they are stronger than the chain. I was having trouble getting an ordinary anchor shackle to pass through my bow roller. Someone here suggested a shake with half twist. That seems to help in that half of the time the thumb screw ends up on top.

 

[Benny]

Remember a chain is just as strong as it's weakest link.

 

[Chuckbear]

we have first hand knowledge as to what happens when a swivel fails and they do. Why add a piece of hardware to your very important ground tackle that could fail and possibly cause the loss of your boat. In over 17 years of serious cruising all over the US and Caribbean and anchoring literally thousand of time we have never seen the need for a swivel.

 

[shemandr]

The SS swivel I was considering had reasonable strength when in tension but was really inadequate when loaded sideways. I don't remember the brand or exact numbers. I never installed it. Maybe it would never see very much load sideways but ....

 

[sailingdog]

Also, mixing stainless steel with galvanized in the anchor rode is a bad idea. Not to mention that burying a stainless steel swivel in mud regularly for extended periods of time is a good way to have it fail suddenly due to crevice corrosion brought on by the oxygen depleted surroundings.

The SS swivel I was considering had reasonable strength when in tension but was really inadequate when loaded sideways. I don't remember the brand or exact numbers. I never installed it. Maybe it would never see very much load sideways but ....

 

[Rick D]

Thanks For This Discussion

"I've heard that a swivel is not needed at the anchor itself, as any twist in the chain is removed once the rode is deployed and rehauled aboard".

You know, I have always had a swivel between the anchor and chain and have never been too happy about it for even the little anchoring I do. It makes sense that after my 60' of chain is out and I'm on the rope rode that I would have no need for one. I'm going to take it off and toss it. BTW, don't know what the issue would be mixing galvanized and SS; I have seen some higher-end gear with just that. Never gave it any thought though.

 

[sailingdog]

Rick D—

Mixing Stainless steel and galvanized steel in an anchor rode is a good way to cause galvanic corrosion cells within the rode, when the rode is in use....which is a really bad idea IMHO.

 

[Steve Dion]

I have always felt that the the swivel becomes the weakest link. We really don't need any "weak" links in the anchor rode.

 

[soulesailor]

Rick D, No need to completely TOSS the swivel away...keep it, you might still use it. If you ever have multiple rodes connecting before coming aboard than that swivel might be handy. Otherwise, as you swing through the changes in wind and tide your rodes will get all twisted together.