Sail Delmarva: Is the Stainless Swivel Eating the Zinc off the Anchor?

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Is the Stainless Swivel Eating the Zinc off the Anchor?

Look like it to me. (not my boat)

This is also a good argument for a galvanized shackles. Stainless chain hooks may slide on and off a little easier, but over times I suppose there is some effect, if you are on the hook a lot. I just go all-galvanized.

Personally, I can't see much use for a swivel. The original SS swivel on Shoal Survivor (15 years) revealed an incipient crack when I took it apart to install a new anchor. No thanks.

(not my swivel, but it shows what side leverage can do)

Instead...

Align the chain between the anchor and the gypsy. The chain can't spin in the gypsy, can it?
Motor/draft backwards if need be; most anchor will alight due to water flow.

1 comment:

UnknownJuly 5, 2016 at 7:05 AM
Not a fan of swivels either. The data on them indicates they are often the weak component in anchoring gear. And when I look at them, I'm not surprised. Seems like common sense. There just isn't enough material in any swivel to provide me with a sense of security.
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Rigging Modern Anchors

First print edition, 2018, by Seaworthy Press. About 156 pages.

I've been setting and trusting anchors with my life (climbing) and my boat (sailing) for 35 years. I've been testing and documenting anchor testing for 5 years, and I've spent the last two sifting, collating, and analyzing all that I have learned. The result, I believe, is a complete description of what is actually going on below the waves, not just descriptively or as oral history from an old salt, but with numerical back-up everywhere I could provided it. I hope it helps. I know I sleep better. From the back cover of the book:

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Proper anchoring technique, rigging, and gear selection is vital to the safety of ship and crew. Instead of hoping your anchor and rigging scheme will hold, read “Rigging Modern Anchors” and be sure.

Keeping a Cruising Boat for Peanuts--Available in PDF!

2017, Kindle, about 425 pages, $9.99.

Buy now in PDF, 410 pages.

Table of Contents

As much as I love sailing, putting my daughter through college and funding my 401K are more important. Transitioning from professional engineer to writer has transformed my habit of living efficiently into a passion for spreading funds thin. I like to think of it as a challenge for the imagination—it’s more fun that way.

I’ve written over 200 equipment reviews and engineering articles for popular sailing magazines, all based on laboratory and hands-on testing. I’ve spent 30 years learning how to maintain, fix, and upgrade. I've also spent 35 years as a chemical engineer, and my wife thinks I live in my basement shop.

As a result I’ve become a fair hand most crafts, never get stuck in the field with something I can’t fix, and I've learned to spread money thin, without compromising speed, reliability, or performance. Although I've written on many topics, my wife assures me this is the one I know best. My magnum opus?

Sail Delmarva

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Thursday, June 30, 2016

Is the Stainless Swivel Eating the Zinc off the Anchor?

1 comment:

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