Anchor Rode Questions and Answers
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More Articles From Online Book: Anchoring Made Easy:
- Introduction
- 4 Vital Anchor Selection Criteria and a Review of SPADE
- SARCA Excel Anchor—A Real World Test
- SPADE, SARCA Excel, or Some Other Anchor?
- Rocna Resetting Failures and Evaluation of Vulcan and Mantus
- Some Thoughts On The Ultra Anchor, Roll Bars and Swivels
- Specifying Primary Anchor Size
- Kedge (Secondary Anchor)—Recommended Type and Size
- Third Anchors, Storm Anchors and Spare Anchors
- Anchor Tests—The Good, The Bad, and The Downright Silly
- Making Anchor Tests More Meaningful
- We Love The Way Our Anchor Drags
- Things to Know About Anchor Chain
- Selecting a Chain Grade
- Anchor Chain Catenary, When it Matters and When it Doesn’t
- Anchoring—Snubbers
- Anchor Rode Questions and Answers
- Q&A: Hybrid Rope And Chain Anchor Rodes
- Anchor Swivels, Just Say No
- A Windlass That Makes The Grade
- The Perfect Anchor Roller
- Install A Wash-down Pump—And Save Money!
- Anchoring—Kellets
- Anchoring—Chain: Stoppers, Termination and Marking
- 20 Tips To Get Anchored and Stay Anchored
- Choosing an Anchorage
- Choosing a Spot
- 15 Steps To Getting Securely Anchored
- One Anchor or Two?
- Two Anchors Done Right
- It’s Often Better to Anchor Than Pick Up a Mooring
- Yawing at Anchor, The Theory and The Solution
- Yawing at The Anchor, an Alternative Cure
- How To Use An Anchor Trip Line
- ShoreFasts—Part 1, When to Use Them
- ShoreFasts—Part 2, Example Setups Plus Tips and Tricks
- ShoreFasts—Part 3, The Gear
- Gale And Storm Preparation, At Anchor Or On A Mooring
- Storm Preparation, All Chain On Deck
I got 400 feet of HT from Acco and had them add a large link at both ends. This way I use a over size shackle to ensure no loss of strength.
Charlie
The Shackles I use are “Crosby” the pin in these shackles are painted red and have the work load stamped right on it
Regarding the Crosby G209A shackles. I have been using them for some time and like that they are about 2x stronger than the regular galvanized shackles and well matched to HT anchor chain.
I notice that after a while the pin starts rusting. I assume that’s because it isn’t galvanized. At what point to you replace the shackles?
In the picture at the start of this article, I notice you use two shackles between the chain and the anchor. I have only been using one. Why two?
Thanks, Bob
Hi Bob,
A little surface rust is no problem at all. Replace when there is actual pitting or reduction in the “wire size” (chain talk for the diameter of the stock the chain or shackle is made from).
There are two shackles because neither the hole in the anchor stock or the size of the 7/16″ G40 chain link are large enough to take the body of the shackle.
Next time we order chain, we will get a way oversize link put in at the end that will take the shackle body. (When we ordered this chain we still had the CQR that had an integrated shackle with a large hole permanently attached to it).
In a perfect world, the hole in the SPADE anchor stock would be larger so that the bow of the shackle could pivot through it. However, the two shackles are not a problem because neither is long enough to exert excessive strain on its own pin threads in the case of an off axis pull.
Hi John, I come across this anchor shackle which has a breaking load that far exceeds that of the chain without using an oversize link. Have I misunderstood your comment above? Thanks, https://titanmarineproducts.com/product/high-strength-forged-hot-dipped-galvanized-shackles/
Hi Ee Kiat,
The look good for G40 chain, based on their claims, but I have no experience with them. If you are using G70 chain, they probably won’t be strong enough without an oversized link, but I have not checked that.
Anyway, the key is to make sure you know your chain break load and dimensions so you can check before buying.
I am using 5/16″ HT chain with a 3/8″ G209A shackle with a Spade S140. I think the 5/16″ HT chain links do take the body of the shackle, so I can use a single shackle.
I was wondering if you were using two shackels for some other reason, but it sounds like that was the only way to connect the chain to the anchor.
Thanks!