It is unnecessary to be a sailor or sailing enthusiast to understand that every boat or ship needs an anchor and dependable anchoring equipment. You’re probably picturing a massive hook-like gadget attached to the ship by a chain. You may be tempted to believe that all anchor chains are the same. The reality is that anchor chains come in various grades and varieties. Each sailor must choose the proper anchor chain.
You and your ship are in grave danger if you do not have marine-grade chains. If you are in the middle of the sea and need to dock because your ship or boat cannot go forward, you will need a trustworthy marine-grade chain long enough to get your boat moored in the deep seas. Without one, your ship will float away with the stream.
Why Choose Marine-Grade Chains?
The most significant aspect of any anchoring method is using marine-grade chains. While some manufacturers may claim that their anchor does not need a chain, decades of anchoring research and testing show that this is not the case. These are often low-grade anchors used by kayakers or on tiny bodies of water where the stresses on the anchors are minor, and the chain won’t make much difference.
The benefits of marine-grade chains include the following:
- Protects the nylon line against underwater trash or other sharp items that might cause an anchor loss or cut line
- Transfers energy in a downward motion to the end of the anchor handle. Adding 4 feet of chain to an anchor is equivalent to extending the handle by 4 feet. Although it is not practicable, one may envision the sort of leverage that would be obtained from such a long handle.
- Creates a downward pressure on the anchor handle, allowing the anchor to set quicker and more consistently (also known as the shank)
- Allows the use of the breakaway release technique, reducing the possibility of losing an anchor lodged beneath anything.
How to Choose Marine-Grade Chains
It would be best if you made these fundamental decisions to choose the best marine-grade chain, like simrad nsx 12, for your specific needs.
- Stainless Steel or Galvanized
Stainless Steel
G3 stainless steel calibrated anchor chain is about three times the price of galvanized Grade 40.
Grade 6 and Grade 6+ stainless steel anchor chains are of the highest quality, with the option of an electro-polished finish for maximum resistance to marine corrosion.
Despite its name, stainless steel chains online may stain, but this can be cleaned using a specific cleaning chemical that is extremely easy to apply and does not need any drying or polishing.
Galvanized
Hot dip galvanizing was invented over 50 years ago and is still the most common finish for anchors and chains on motor and sailing vessels.
Moreover, hot dip galvanizing is more than simply a cosmetic procedure. Hot dipping in molten zinc creates a multi-layered deep-seated fusion with the steel, implying that natural abrasion induced by anchoring will have only a slow impact.
However, all galvanizing will rust with time. In reality, rust stains are likely to emerge as soon as you put your brand new gleaming galvanized chain into a damp, salty, or possibly polluted environment, such as your chain locker.
If you want your anchor to remain spotlessly blemish-free on the bow roller and your chain to be spotlessly blemish-free on deck or in the chain locker, high-quality stainless steel may be the ideal option for you.
- Grade
Grades are similar between mild and stainless steel, albeit stainless is often described with a plain G as a prefix rather than grade, for example. G3 is equivalent to Grade 30.
Galvanized chain is typically offered in grades 30, 40, and 70.
It is worth mentioning that although occurrences of chain failure are exceedingly uncommon, they should be avoided since they may occur during severe weather. Failure is far more likely to occur at the anchor-chain connection point.
- Length
An anchor rod may be a mix of chain and rope in varied proportions depending on your requirements, or it can be entirely chain. The overall length of your ride will be determined by the depth of water you expect to encounter on your cruises. A total ride length of 80 meters is now the average, with 100 meters becoming more popular.
There are conventional ‘rules of thumb for determining ride length as a multiple of sea depth, but they don’t work well for highly shallow or very deep water, and they’re a touch out of date with the rise of larger yachts and ocean voyage making.
- Chain Calibration and Size
Chain Calibration
There are two primary anchor chain calibrations: DIN766 and ISO4565. Calibrated links are guaranteed to have the same length and size within a certain tolerance.
If you have a windlass, this is critical. The chain calibration must be compatible with the gypsy windlass.
Size
This is determined by the grade you choose, your yacht’s displacement, windage, length, your projected sailing plans, and your dependence on anchoring.
Conclusion
Inspect your marine chain regularly and adequately to verify that the links fit equally into the wildcat’s recesses. Make sure the marine-grade chain’s tail is connected to the vessel using a spliced-on segment of a line long enough to reach the deck. If you’re dragging into a lee coast or about to be run over, this line serves as a safety valve, enabling you to rapidly cut the boat free from the ground tackle.
