TheOtherLine
Well-known member
So, I've been having these issues with twisting in my chain anchor rode. I'm in the process of changing some stuff out to see if any of the changes will help eliminate the twisting. You can read about that in my other post.
Anyway, while talking to an old salt about my setup, he made a comment which I found worthy of research. In doing so, I found a couple of examples confirming what he had described.
Here it is. There are essentially two types of anchor swivels other than the traditional D ring or Horseshoe shaped swivel with a pin. Articulating (the kind with a second joint that allows the swivel to move side to side as well as around and non articulating (the single joint version that just spins round and round).
The issue has to do with non articulating swivels attached to fixed shank anchors. An fixed shank anchor would be any anchor that doesn't have some sort of ring to which you would attach the swivel, like the Delta.
Apparently, many people, including me, attach these swivels directly to the shank. That, according to this fellow, is a no - no. Why? Because the lateral pull on this install significantly increases the failure probabilities of your anchor rig. The failure usually occurs at the pin that secures the ends of the swivel.
If you have an articulating swivel then, it's ok to connect directly to a fixed shaft anchor because the swivel will turn at the joint and relieve the lateral pressure at the PIN.
If you have a ring on your anchor, like the CRQ's do, then you can use either swivel.
So, part of my anchor twist solving solution is going to be to add a traditional horseshoe swivel ahead of my non articulating swivel. This will allow it NOT have the lateral pressure applied to it, but rather, to the horseshoe swivel.
I did have an articulating swivel, but I found that it would occasionally bind at the shaft, so I bought a Kong non articulating.
I plan on taking it out this weekend to see if that does anything to help the twisting chain issue.
If not, I will be replacing my Chinese HT chain with Acco G4. The G4 is already in. Look for the HT in the classifieds soon. It may be coming with 300' of 1 year old 8 plait.
Anyway, while talking to an old salt about my setup, he made a comment which I found worthy of research. In doing so, I found a couple of examples confirming what he had described.
Here it is. There are essentially two types of anchor swivels other than the traditional D ring or Horseshoe shaped swivel with a pin. Articulating (the kind with a second joint that allows the swivel to move side to side as well as around and non articulating (the single joint version that just spins round and round).
The issue has to do with non articulating swivels attached to fixed shank anchors. An fixed shank anchor would be any anchor that doesn't have some sort of ring to which you would attach the swivel, like the Delta.
Apparently, many people, including me, attach these swivels directly to the shank. That, according to this fellow, is a no - no. Why? Because the lateral pull on this install significantly increases the failure probabilities of your anchor rig. The failure usually occurs at the pin that secures the ends of the swivel.
If you have an articulating swivel then, it's ok to connect directly to a fixed shaft anchor because the swivel will turn at the joint and relieve the lateral pressure at the PIN.
If you have a ring on your anchor, like the CRQ's do, then you can use either swivel.
So, part of my anchor twist solving solution is going to be to add a traditional horseshoe swivel ahead of my non articulating swivel. This will allow it NOT have the lateral pressure applied to it, but rather, to the horseshoe swivel.
I did have an articulating swivel, but I found that it would occasionally bind at the shaft, so I bought a Kong non articulating.
I plan on taking it out this weekend to see if that does anything to help the twisting chain issue.
If not, I will be replacing my Chinese HT chain with Acco G4. The G4 is already in. Look for the HT in the classifieds soon. It may be coming with 300' of 1 year old 8 plait.
