Our galvanised chain is about seven years old and is showing heavy corrosion and flaking rust. I "cleaned" it last year with a wire brush but it needs attention again before we head out for our annual spring cruise. I have thought about replacing it but thought I would pursue this option first. Is there any product out there to be applied to the chain to remove the corrosion and rust flakes? I have used a product to remove rust and stains on the boat and have considered soaking the chain in it. Any other ideas? Thanks.
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David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL
David, I replaced my galvanized chain after about 7 years, too. I am no expert on this subject, but I figured once the rust got pretty bad, the links were losing strength and possibly developing miniscule cracks that would much more rapidly decrease the load carrying capability.
I am not trying to scare anyone, but I personally felt better replacing the chain.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Those are my thoughts. I have full confidence in our anchor for all conditions but not certain now on the chain. Did I read in your blog that you went with stainless?
David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL
Yes, I did. It happened that a friend had bought 80 feet of 316 stainless chain that didn't fit his windlass gypsy and decided to sell it at a bargain price. It has remained stain and rust free for 8 years so far. It has less strength than the HT steel, but in my opinion more than enough for the job.
SS is not considered good for sea water applications where the metal stays underwater for long periods of time. It needs exposure to oxygen to retain its passivation layer, but I am usually hauling the anchor once every few days at the least.
If you compare the typical costs of SS vs galvanized HT steel, you have to expect a lot of years to justify the SS (unless you get it cheap like I did). If you think you will still have your boat 15 years from now, that's one thing, but I suspect you might be better off with the galvanized. Also, there is a lot of cheap/inferior SS from China that you want to avoid.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
I bought an off brand chain many years ago. It lasted about 2 seasons, in only brackish water, probably wouldn't have lasted 6 months in salt water. I learned my lesson and replaced it with ACCO. That's about 15 years old now and still has very little sign of rust.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
My chain was showing some rust in places which needed attention. I took it to a local plating company and they cleaned and re plated (hot dipped) it fo 80 cents a lb. which worked out to $125 with tax. That was for 110 feet of 5/16. Not all plating companies have the equipment to do chain, so check around. These guys do a lot of chain and were willing to evaluate the condition saying that though a few of the links looked a little rough it was servicable after replating. It took two days.
Neil Roach
"Crewless"
1992 36, Mark I
Hull # 1174
Seattle
Neil, can you please post or PM me the place you used in Seattle? Would love to check them out.
David
s/v Portmanteau
Hull #2133 -- 2003 MKII
Seattle, WA
Neil, that's very interesting. I did a Google search in SW Florida and nothing jumped out. I can buy new chain in the Tampa area at $2.98/ft and it will redo the chain/rode splice, assuming I can still use the old rode. So, instead of trying to salvage the chain, I would rather sleep better while on the hook and not worry about the chain's integrity.
David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL
Hi David, Emerald Galvanizing. They have a website.
Neil Roach
"Crewless"
1992 36, Mark I
Hull # 1174
Seattle