What should be the life-expectancy of anchor chain

[Rich Stidger]

This topic has been discussed briefly before, but now that the season is upon us I am looking at my 7-year old Acco G4 anchor chain with dismay.It has been quite rusty for some time but now it is really becoming un-sightly. I have 160 feet of 5/16" and I hate to replace it just for cosmetics, but I would like to do something.Previously someone suggested a local shop to re-galvanize, but I don't think I have anything local. I will look some more. New chain is $2.75 per foot.I use this anchor chain every night we are out on the boat. I keep my sailboat on a mooring and rarely get a chance to do a fresh water washdown.Does 3-4 years for rust to appear and a real mess after 7 years sound right?

 

[David W]

I'd give it a close inspection.

Do the links look corroded enough to warrant replacement? If it looks doubtful get a second opinion.Is there an unbiased party that could examine your chain?

 

[tom Lane]

Life of an anchor chain

It seems that the amount of zinc put on anchor chain in the US is pretty thin due to the current EPA regulations and 4 years seems about the right time for chain being used very little and never washed down. It seems that chain will go from a little rust to "rust bucket" in one quick jump. We generally have the chain regalvanized at the first sign of rust- it seems that your best bet is to pitch it and buy new, it is a lot cheaper in the states.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Chain life - What ACCO claims.....

I called ACCO today and told them my story about the rusty chain. They congratulated me on achieving such a long life for the chain!I estimate that the chain has been used about 350 times over 7 years. It is G4 5/16".ACCO's reply is that some people need to replace their chain every 2-3 years and others go longer.I asked about re-galvanizing it and their reply was that ACCO doesn't do re-galvanizing and if I could find a shop it would probably be more expensive than buying new chain.Preventive maintenance: At the first sign of rust, brush it off! (Really?? OK.....) I asked about spraying the chain with a cold galvanize coating and they thought that would be a good idea.Well, I am going to look at the chain again this week. I may opt to replace, but I am not happy about it.On my previous boat I had 40' of chain plus rode and I used it to anchor probably 600 times over a 15 year period. I NEVER replaced that chain and I don't remember it being that badly rusted.Having this chain become so severely rusted in only 7 years just doesn't seem right.