Stainless Steel Anchor Chain?

[BigJimB]

While impossible, PLEASE SET ASIDE THE COST for this discussion.

What are the benefits and disadvantages of using SS chain on a horizontal windlass?

*Appears it stacks and pays out a whole lot better than galvanized.
*Good SS doesn't rust.

? Is there a difference in physical size with same spec?

? Does the gypsy bite galvanized chain better than SS? Will SS chain have a greater chance of jumping from a gypsy?

Look forward to learning your experiences.

 

[Insequent]

Ordinary 316 etc is at risk of developing cracks and failing. Chromox is the only way to go. And yes, it will stack better and last longer. Dimensions wont be an issue assuming you match chain and gypsy to each other.

Stainless steel chains and components by cromox®

Top-level, cutting-edge stainless steel products. The cromox® stainless steel product range is developed and manufactured by Ketten Wälder GmbH, headquartered in Germany.

www.cromox-us.com

I'm not using this although I wish I was able to.

 

[Comodave]

I have read that it cleans off easier, but have never used it so I don't know for sure.

 

[DavidM]

G4 galvanized chain is lots stronger than 316 SS.

David

 

[twistedtree]

I have 12mm Cromox and love it. The cost was painful, but looking back I consider is $$ well spent. Recapping and adding to what's already been said:

- Cromox WLL is the same if not a bit better than G4 chain of the same size. 316SS is lower strength, so will require larger size, or accepting lower WLL.

- The chain piles much better. My galvi used to spill out of my chain box, and how the SS only half fills it.

- Silt and mud wash off MUCH easier, with much less ending up in your chain locker. That's less mess and less stink.

- No rust on deck, no flakes of rust all over the place, no rusty mess in the chain locker.

- Mine is a good bit quieter through the windless, but I can't say if that's because of the SS or if it's because the link dimensions are different.

- I have not had any issues with skipping on the gypsie.

- If you are ordering the chain, order it with an oversized link in the end. That will allow for a single large shackle to your anchor.

- Pay very careful attention to the link dimensions. There are DIN, ISO and "US" dimensions, and they are not the same. I needed a new chain wheel and it was over $2500 just for the chain wheel. Also, US chain sizes are such that you can fit one size larger shackle pin through a link. So a 1/2" chain can accept a 5/8" shackle pin, and the 5/8" shackle matches the WLL of the 1/2"chain. With many (most from what I saw) DIN and ISO links, you can only fit the same size shackle which creates a significant weak link in the system. This is another reason why that larger end link is so important.

- Don't make the change on a schedule. I ordered directly from Ketten Walder and they took my money and then about 5x the promised time to deliver. The buying experience was among the worst I have ever had. But I do really like the product.

 

[BigJimB]

G4 galvanized chain is lots stronger than 316 SS.

David

I'd like to agree, however in 3/8" Galvanized G4 high test is rated to 16,200# while the Stainless G4 High Test Grade 60 is rated at 22,045#, so just shy of 50% stronger. Just from a quick search, not claiming to have dug into the metallurgy of the two that came up sold for anchoring.

 

[sealandsky]

I have 12mm Cromox and love it. The cost was painful, but looking back I consider is $$ well spent. Recapping and adding to what's already been said:

- Cromox WLL is the same if not a bit better than G4 chain of the same size. 316SS is lower strength, so will require larger size, or accepting lower WLL.

- The chain piles much better. My galvi used to spill out of my chain box, and how the SS only half fills it.

- Silt and mud wash off MUCH easier, with much less ending up in your chain locker. That's less mess and less stink.

- No rust on deck, no flakes of rust all over the place, no rusty mess in the chain locker.

- Mine is a good bit quieter through the windless, but I can't say if that's because of the SS or if it's because the link dimensions are different.

- I have not had any issues with skipping on the gypsie.

- If you are ordering the chain, order it with an oversized link in the end. That will allow for a single large shackle to your anchor.

- Pay very careful attention to the link dimensions. There are DIN, ISO and "US" dimensions, and they are not the same. I needed a new chain wheel and it was over $2500 just for the chain wheel. Also, US chain sizes are such that you can fit one size larger shackle pin through a link. So a 1/2" chain can accept a 5/8" shackle pin, and the 5/8" shackle matches the WLL of the 1/2"chain. With many (most from what I saw) DIN and ISO links, you can only fit the same size shackle which creates a significant weak link in the system. This is another reason why that larger end link is so important.

- Don't make the change on a schedule. I ordered directly from Ketten Walder and they took my money and then about 5x the promised time to deliver. The buying experience was among the worst I have ever had. But I do really like the product.

I'm running the same CROMOX 12MM chain and agree with all said above, except it only took 2 weeks for me to receive my chain.

 

[Mac2]

To those using the cromox: I used a stainless Ultra anchor on my last boat. After a couple years, I noticed the galvanized chain links loosing their galvanizing progressively. The closest shackle to link attachment was the worst, fading as it got to three links down. I’m guessing this was due to galvanic corrosion that was happening during anchoring.
Im mentioning this because someone buying cromox might want to buy more than just one larger link, as TT suggested.

 

[Fleming]

To those using the cromox: I used a stainless Ultra anchor on my last boat. After a couple years, I noticed the galvanized chain links loosing their galvanizing progressively. The closest shackle to link attachment was the worst, fading as it got to three links down. I’m guessing this was due to galvanic corrosion that was happening during anchoring.
Im mentioning this because someone buying cromox might want to buy more than just one larger link, as TT suggested.

It's not going to be an issue. In your case the chain was the anode and the anchor was the cathode so your chain suffered the galvanic corrosion. Even if they were to use a galvanized shackle and galvanized anchor with their new stainless chain (why would you not use a stainless anchor and shackle if you're spending that coin on the chain?), it would be the shackle and anchor that were the anode and the chain would be the cathode so the chain would not suffer.

 

[slowgoesit]

Careful now! If you believe what Nigel Calder and Mr. Cotes stated in their interview with HH, if you don't consistently rinse stainless steel anchor chain off, every time you up anchor, it will rust away within a year . . . or at least that is what they insinuated was the cause of the Wynns anchor and anchor chain failure . . .

 

[twistedtree]

Careful now! If you believe what Nigel Calder and Mr. Cotes stated in their interview with HH, if you don't consistently rinse stainless steel anchor chain off, every time you up anchor, it will rust away within a year . . . or at least that is what they insinuated was the cause of the Wynns anchor and anchor chain failure . . .

Yeah, mine gets rinsed with a mix of salt and fresh water, and no rust. It calls into question what grade of stainless the Wynns chain was. I don’t recall. Anyone know? Lesser grades will get surface corrossion.

 

[Mac2]

Thanks Fleming, that makes total sense now.

 

[motion30]

Careful now! If you believe what Nigel Calder and Mr. Cotes stated in their interview with HH, if you don't consistently rinse stainless steel anchor chain off, every time you up anchor, it will rust away within a year . . . or at least that is what they insinuated was the cause of the Wynns anchor and anchor chain failure . . .

honestly I was embarrassed for those 2 experts.. both were well respected.. It was easy to see they were bought. Sad

 

[cfr]

I have a A5 stainless steel chain, its near to cromox and using it since 15 years but the chain is on the boat since 40 years. 30 years cold water and 15 years the Med, anchoring spprox 120 nights a year. No problems at all but my galvanized spade doesnt like the chain and is rusting, so i galvanize it every 10 years.
The maker told me that they strongly recommend to check your electrical installation of the winch because sonetime the grounding is not good and the chain gets some galvanic voltage thru the winch. I have a hyd winch and aluminium hull so different from frp boats.