One of the cool things about running this site is that gear manufacturers are now beginning to recognise the purchasing power and general clout that you, our readers, wield. So now when I ask a whole bunch of questions about a manufacturer’s products—many of them dumb, I’m sure—they are more likely to find the time to educate me than they once were.
This seems to be true of most all of the manufacturers we contact these days, but the good folks at Peerless Chain, manufacturers of Acco Chain, bent over backwards to educate me and sort out many of my misconceptions about chain by providing not just one, but three experts during a recent conference call I had with them.
Here are some useful things we learned.
John, please include some content on gypsies as well. I find getting a match-up is not always as straight-forward as it should be.
Hi John, thanks for the wonderful article! It was a pleasure speaking with you. I just want to add a couple of clarifications to your article in regards to the embossing (stamping) of the G43 and G70 chains. The “ISO Short Link” dimension G43 that we manufacture and is used for anchoring, has a “G4” stamp on it. We also manufacture our standard “NACM” dimension chain that has the “P4” or “P43” stamp on it.
The G70 Chain can be stamped “P7” or “P70”.
Please let me know if you or your readers have any more questions.
Thanks, Donna
Hi Donna
I’ve only one question – how and when will we poor people in the benighted EU be able to get your excellent product?
I tried for ages to source G70 chain in Europe, and failed miserably – we have G40, and it’s been fine, but like John I like the idea of all chain and putting the weight in the anchor. If we could have sourced G70 we’d have been able to go down a size in chain dimension, and had an all chain cable.
Best wishes
Colin
We have several U.S. distributors who would be willing to drop ship product to you. It would be the ACCO brand, which is the chain featured in this article.
Thanks Donna
We’re heading slowly in your direction anyway, so we may well pick it up when we get there!
Hi Donna,
It’s a thought. But we have found that many of your distributors have a pretty high mark up, particularly those that serve the recreational market. Add in the shipping and documentation (can be as much as the shipping) charges for a single length of chain and the total is going to be cost prohibitive.
I think it would be a lot better if a European distributor was appointed who could ship over a whole container of chain.
I know this is an old link, but i’m getting ready to purchase 275′ of 5/16″ G4 supposedly ACCO, but the links are stamped G43. Is this ACCO?
Hi Stephen,
That’s what my Acco G40 chain has stamped on it. That said, I don’t know if that stamp guarantees its actually from Peerless chain. I think I’m right in saying that other vendors may use the same stamp to indicate G40 chain, but don’t know for sure.
John,
Thanks for the reply. Your stamping of G43 is contrary to the ACCO’s statement, “The “ISO Short Link” dimension G43 that we manufacture and is used for anchoring, has a “G4” stamp on it. We also manufacture our standard “NACM” dimension chain that has the “P4” or “P43” stamp on it.”
I just completed some research and found that West Marine’s ACCO 5/16″ ISO is stamped G4 and CMP’s Titan is stamped G43. A lot of boating news groups are stating ACCO’s quality going downhill and prematurely rusting.
I’m confused as to what to purchase.
Hi Stephen,
Oops, sorry, just shows old farts should not write from memory. Now I think about it more, I’m sure you are right that my chain in stamped G4. I will check the next time I’m at the boat.
On the choice between Titan and ACCO, I just don’t know since I have no experience with the former. I have used ACCO (Peerless) for years and have always been happy with it. Our current chain was bought in 2013. It does have a bit of rust, but then it’s had hard usage too, so nothing excessive. Bottom line, any galvanized steel item thats regularly dragged around over rocks is going to rust some.
One thought, I think Titan is made in China, and, at least the last time I talked to them, all Peerless is made in the USA. I’m not a guy that thinks that necessarily makes Peerless better but I do like the idea that I’m buying chain from a company in a country with a very aggressive tort Bar—Peerless just can’t afford to screw up! (When I talked to their engineers they kept pointing this out.) Anyway, a good test is to ask if you can get a proof certificate for your piece of chain.
One other thought, it may be true that Peerless quality has dropped, but it may also be that one or two people had their chain rust a bit from normal use and then a meme got going on the forums that’s in fact pretty meaningless. I’m always amazed by how upset yachties can get about what are to me trivial cosmetic issues like some rust spots on the deck. To me a banged up anchor and chain is a badge of honour showing that a boat has actually done some real cruising.
Hope that helps with what is a tough call.
Hi John:
A note re snubbers and shock loading. One of our Sundeer 64 ketches went through the big hurricane in Grenada some years back. She was anchored with Grade 7 Acco/Peerless 3/8″ chain, secured at the deck with a Maxwell chain lock, connected to an 80kg Bruce, and NO SNUBBER. She had headsails removed, but her very bulky main and mizzen were on their booms, and she was unattended. She was one of the few boats at anchor to survive. After this we ceased to worry about shock loads.
Steve
Steve
This is good to hear, but it changes nothing for me. A taut chain undergoing shock loading is at high risk of tearing out the anchor, damaging the bow, or snapping the chain. It is very easy to put on a snubber (in this situation I would use a few snubbers) to spread out the shock should it happen.
Nick
Hi Nick,
I agree in that we always rig a snubber. If for no other reason than it is a lot quieter.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the comment. Very comforting for a whole group of reasons.
A word of caution for all the European readers. We were buying 200m of Grade 40 DIN 766 chain 5 years ago from an English well known chain manufacturer. (Claimed that they made the chain in the UK.) We fortunately asked for a sample and had it tested. The 1/2″ 13mm chain was claimed to be 3 Ton proof tested (and 8.6 t Break load) but yielded (initial distortion) at 2.8t and broke (actual destruction of the link, not a distortion) at just over 3.7tons. When we contacted them and offered the test result, they did not even question it. They just asked if we wanted to place the order! We bought from a Polish manufacturer (AIP) whose chain passed our test with flying colours. WL 2.1t, Proof L 4.3t, BL 8.6t. Check before buying if possible and do not believe the manufacturer’s claims. And always get a copy of the test cert and keep it on file.
Hi Andy,
A sobering story indeed. Thanks for the warning.
Andy –
We too have heard of these types of stories, but Peerless Chain Company who manufactures the ACCO brand of marine chain, does proof test all of our marine chain and can provide a certification for any of the chain we manufacture and sell. I do agree that consumers should expect quality product from the manufacturers and ask the appropriate questions before buying a product. Glad to hear that you were able to obtain quality product for your boat.
Best Regards,
Donna
John,
More good info us usual—thanks.
How does one decide what length of chain to carry for normal situations; e.g., places that do not require anchoring in extreme depths?
Thanks, Doug
P.S. The picture in your Rocna vs. Spade article is “Bluewater”, our Tayana 55 which you may identify as such if you wish.
Hi Doug,
A good question without an easy answer. How come that all questions about boats are that way? I will have a crack at it as the chain series continues.
We carry 50 to 60m of 3/8 or 10mm chain: this will allow us to anchor in up to 25m in normal conditions.
Mike
White Princess