Any practical way to extend anchor chain?
- Thread starter Pgitug
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Capt.Bill11
Guru
Do you have all chain or chain and line as your setup?
ssobol
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Depending on the chain you intend to use you could try a swivel (like connects the chain to the anchor), a double clevis, or a lap link.
TDunn
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Well you could open the end link on the old chain, pass it through the first link of the new chain and then weld it closed again. After that hot dip galvanize the area around the weld. Any decent welder can do this for you.
nmuir
Senior Member
I went through a similar search in the spring. Many suggestions included having a link welded but I was never quite comfortable with that.
I ended up finding a 1/16" larger stainless quicklink that had a working rating higher than the G4, and a breaking rating far beyond the G4.
The main concern noted by others about stainless quicklinks is them jamming the windlass. It is a little bigger than the G4 links but runs through my windlass (a mcmurry) without jamming. YMMV.
50+ nights on the hook and no issues so far!
I ended up finding a 1/16" larger stainless quicklink that had a working rating higher than the G4, and a breaking rating far beyond the G4.
The main concern noted by others about stainless quicklinks is them jamming the windlass. It is a little bigger than the G4 links but runs through my windlass (a mcmurry) without jamming. YMMV.
50+ nights on the hook and no issues so far!
Capt.Bill11
Guru
Watch the galvanizing on the chain links to each side of the SS link.
OP
OP
Pgitug
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O C Diver
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I had two 200' lengths of chain that needed to be regalvanized and had 50' at one end that was pitted, so removed. Had a welder cut a good link open, remove the galvanize around the weld, add the other chain, and TIG weld it. Then the weld was dressed so it matched the other links and the whole chain was regalvanized.
If you have your chain joined by welding, it must be done by a professional welder with a TIG machine to ensure no impurities in the weld. While intellectually I know this is now the weakest link in the chain (G4 3/8"), with a 5, 400 lbs working limit and 16, 200 lbs tensile strength, I'm sure something else is going to let go before that link parts.
Ted
If you have your chain joined by welding, it must be done by a professional welder with a TIG machine to ensure no impurities in the weld. While intellectually I know this is now the weakest link in the chain (G4 3/8"), with a 5, 400 lbs working limit and 16, 200 lbs tensile strength, I'm sure something else is going to let go before that link parts.
Ted
ranger58sb
Guru
A riveted lap link will have half of the working load as the base chain if the base is G4 chain. The wll of a 5/16 lap link is 1,950 lbs and the wll of 5/16" G4 is 3,900 lbs. See SEAFIT Connecting Links | West Marine.
And I wouldn't weld a link without x-raying the weld.
So the answer is no. Buy new chain of the right length.
David
And I wouldn't weld a link without x-raying the weld.
So the answer is no. Buy new chain of the right length.
David
eyschulman
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I once had same problem and came up with an answer. I linked the two pieces of chain with 6 feet of appropriate three stand nylon using the standard rode to chain splice. This worked fine for many years just had to watch the splice as it went through the gypsy. The wear on splice same as any chain to rode situation.
Nomad Willy
Guru
Eyeshulman,
Nice to see you back. I like your style.
And a nice very inexpensive solution to the problem.
Many here have been leary of line splices (including me) but quit a few highly regarded menbers have posted time tested experiences.
Nice to see you back. I like your style.
And a nice very inexpensive solution to the problem.
Many here have been leary of line splices (including me) but quit a few highly regarded menbers have posted time tested experiences.
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I believe the riveted lap link David posted above is stronger than the rode to chain splice. I have used the link for several years without a problem but had to redo the splice in that time. I do keep an eye on the link throughout the year. It's at one of my 30 ft rode marker increments so it's marked with zip ties and is easy to find.
Sorry, brain freeze. I'm currently medicated for a bad cold. PUI.
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Eh? 90' of chain for 600-700' of water?
Sorry, got it backwards. I'm currently medicated for a bad cold. PUI.
It still seems like plenty of chain unless he's in some pretty deep water.
Last edited:
Russ Borman
Veteran Member
Just used the seafit link to joint to 50ft 5/16 galvanized BBB chain together, same working load as the chain, The owner at England marine here in Crescent City told me the commercial guys use it all the time and is just as strong as the chain. Here are some Photo's , I'm going to try it, I will keep a close eye on it and will see.
eyschulman
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I read that some also use epoxy with that link. belt and suspenders
We used one on another boat. We could always tell where it was because it rusted before the rest of the chain. Not a bad thing. It was an easy to find for an inspection. It never failed. 
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I've had mine in service for 5 years (in April) with frequent anchoring. No rust, no windlass problems and no apparent wear. I placed some zip ties at the link as part of my rode markers and check it regularly.
Count me as one happy customer, but I bought a spare just in case. It still sits in my drawer unused.
Count me as one happy customer, but I bought a spare just in case. It still sits in my drawer unused.
enolangray
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I used one of the Seafit links to join 2 sections of 3/8 G4 HT. After a couple of seasons I decided to replace it with a new Seafit link. What I discovered was that the Seafit link did give up easily. Even after taking a grinders to it to cut it off, the two halves still did not come apart. a friend who is a tug boat captain recommends that I weld the link. What I have done is paint the link and I keep a close eye on it. I do carry a foot of 3/8 chain and 2 shackles in the event I find myself in a situation of an approaching storm, I can always shackle in a foot in case the splice fails
enolangray
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Yes
Sorry it was a typo
The link did NOT give up easily.
Sorry it was a typo
The link did NOT give up easily.
