extending existing BBB anchor chain

[Vitesse473]

So I have 60' of 3/8" BBB and 140' of rope rode. I want to add 100' of 3/8" BBB, and was wondering if anyone has any experience using the 3/8" BBB links that are used to connect two sections of chain. ie; you put the link piece on the two sections of chain, and then on an anvil and hammer it all to hell and voila, you have longer chain.

Any experience with these links failing in a big blow (eg; 40kts+)? I am planning to switch to a 44lbs Delta or Bruce, or possibly a 60lbs Manson Supreme. Boat is 30k lbs loaded at 46'11" LOA, and intended usage is the Baja Mexico coastline (sandy), with most anchorages ranging from 20-30 ft (including my 5 ft from roller to water).

I don't want to have the right anchor and enough chain for a 5:1 only to learn that my 3B link between the 60' and 100' section is my weak link. The tried and true Svendsen's Marine chandlery folks (3 of them commented) swear you can sleep well with this config in a high wind/high seas situation.

Thx for any thoughts and advice.

[sailingdog]

You're talking about using one of the following:



Bad idea IMHO. The connecting links are far weaker than the chain would be and would become a serious weak point in your anchor rode. The other problem you run into is that the connecting links are far more likely to cause the chain to jump out of the gypsy on the windlass.

[RXBOT]

For your own piece of mind perhaps keep the 60 foot rode for when it is appropiate or when setting 2 anchors and purchase another rode 160 or whatever you desire as your storm set.

[Vitesse473]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

You're talking about using one of the following:

Bad idea IMHO. The connecting links are far weaker than the chain would be and would become a serious weak point in your anchor rode. The other problem you run into is that the connecting links are far more likely to cause the chain to jump out of the gypsy on the windlass.

The suggested link is the one you have pictured here. Svendsen's is a full service boat yard in the SF Bay Area, and everyone from the Chandlery to the metal shop said this link will be solid given its tensile stength, and what it was forged to do. These guys have done a lot of top quality work on my boat, and they are always incredibly knowledgeable amongst the crew of people around the yard. I guess my biggest concern is how you measure chain link strength against anchor holding capability/capacity. ie; is a link like this capable of holding 5,000lbs of force, which I think exceeds any 45-60lbs anchors capacity?

re the windlass. I was thinking of adding the 100' between the anchor and the existing 60' so I could keep my existing rope rode intact. That would mean I would have already pulled in 100' of chain through the windlass before reaching this "link." Therefore, wouldn't that funky link not be subjected to a high torgue jump in the windlass?

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by Vitesse473

The suggested link is the one you have pictured here. Svendsen's is a full service boat yard in the SF Bay Area, and everyone from the Chandlery to the metal shop said this link will be solid given its tensile stength, and what it was forged to do. These guys have done a lot of top quality work on my boat, and they are always incredibly knowledgeable amongst the crew of people around the yard. I guess my biggest concern is how you measure chain link strength against anchor holding capability/capacity. ie; is a link like this capable of holding 5,000lbs of force, which I think exceeds any 45-60lbs anchors capacity?

I guess it depends on the anchor. In recent tests, the 33 lb. Rocna 15 I have on my boat was able to hold past 4500 lbs. regularly. I'd imagine the 20 kg (44 lb.) Rocna would hold well over 5000 lbs. And, no, I don't think that link would hold...

re the windlass. I was thinking of adding the 100' between the anchor and the existing 60' so I could keep my existing rope rode intact. That would mean I would have already pulled in 100' of chain through the windlass before reaching this "link." Therefore, wouldn't that funky link not be subjected to a high torgue jump in the windlass?

Actually, you'd have pulled 60' through, since the link is between the 60' attached to the rode and 100' section attached to the ANCHOR. It would still cause the chain to jump and possibly jump out of the windlass gypsy entirely.

IMHO, if you haven't bought the chain already—buy a single length of 150' or so of chain and be done with it.

[GBurton]

What is the link rated at?

Originally Posted by Vitesse473

So I have 60' of 3/8" BBB and 140' of rope rode. I want to add 100' of 3/8" BBB, and was wondering if anyone has any experience using the 3/8" BBB links that are used to connect two sections of chain. ie; you put the link piece on the two sections of chain, and then on an anvil and hammer it all to hell and voila, you have longer chain.

Any experience with these links failing in a big blow (eg; 40kts+)? I am planning to switch to a 44lbs Delta or Bruce, or possibly a 60lbs Manson Supreme. Boat is 30k lbs loaded at 46'11" LOA, and intended usage is the Baja Mexico coastline (sandy), with most anchorages ranging from 20-30 ft (including my 5 ft from roller to water).

I don't want to have the right anchor and enough chain for a 5:1 only to learn that my 3B link between the 60' and 100' section is my weak link. The tried and true Svendsen's Marine chandlery folks (3 of them commented) swear you can sleep well with this config in a high wind/high seas situation.

Thx for any thoughts and advice.

[sailingdog]

Gburton-

My experience is that it really doesn't matter what the link is rated at... it is generally a point of failure. If it is incorrectly assembled or if water gets in the link and freezes during the winter, or so on... you then have a serious problem that you may or may not be aware of. Given his boat's size, 30,000 lbs and 47' LOA—which probably costs $150,000 to replace at a minimum—buying 150' of brand new Acco BBB or G4 chain is cheap insurance. Going cheap on ground tackle generally has bad results.

Spend $600—less than .5% of the boat's worth—for new chain and not really worry about it... or spend $8 on the link and have to deal with worrying about it and all the other possible problems it can cause.

[Brezzin]

I had a link like that on my last boat. I connected two bits of BBB together. It never jumped the gypsy but I was never really comfortable with it. For probably 99% of the time your anchoring won't be in high stress situations so it should be fine. However, I think we all can agree that it's that 1% that we build our ground tackle for.

Second I don't think a 44 lb delta is a good choice for you. However If your set on one, I'll sell you mine, Never been used.

[camaraderie]

Ditto Daves advice on the Delta. Nothing wrong with them but you need at least the 55lb. if you go that route and I'd encourage you to consider a new generation (Rocna, Spade, Manson etc.) of a similar weight instead.

As to the chain joining link. I would say that if you are doing local cruising in protected waters where ultimate strength will never be tested...you will be fine. BUT ...I am with the Dawg on saying absolutely not on a rode that WILL be tested in extended full time cruising. Here is Plastimos description of their chain link connector (and they are a top quality outfit)....

Chain joining link
Galvanised steel. Connects two chains of same diameter. Use as a temporary chain connection only (SWL* is less than equivalent chain link).

That is enough of a warning for me!

[GBurton]

So you have seen some of these links that have failed SD?

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Gburton-

My experience is that it really doesn't matter what the link is rated at... it is generally a point of failure. If it is incorrectly assembled or if water gets in the link and freezes during the winter, or so on... you then have a serious problem that you may or may not be aware of. Given his boat's size, 30,000 lbs and 47' LOA—which probably costs $150,000 to replace at a minimum—buying 150' of brand new Acco BBB or G4 chain is cheap insurance. Going cheap on ground tackle generally has bad results.

Spend $600—less than .5% of the boat's worth—for new chain and not really worry about it... or spend $8 on the link and have to deal with worrying about it and all the other possible problems it can cause.