T&T: Re-galvanizing

[Steve Sipe]

It's come time to address our anchor rode. Maerin has 400 ft of 3/8" 3B
chain. The galvanizing is getting thin to the extent that the chain is
starting to show some rust- no scaling but it's coloring up. Our Rocna
anchor is also showing bare steel.

I've been searching without success for a source to re-galvanize the
chain. I've been in touch with 2 galvanizing shops in the Baltimore
area, and Korn's in Johnstown. None could do the 400 ft chain. Korn's
could do chain but only a max of 100 ft. (There's a local shop that can
do the Rocna, not an issue).

Without a viable source to regalvanize the chain, I'm not sure if it's
even worth pursuing further since the major consideration will be cost
of re-galv vs. new chain, plus the freight to get it to the galvanizer..
I'd appreciate if anyone can recommend a shop that can handle
re-galvanizing the whole 400 ft length- somewhere in the proximity of
the Baltimore area.

The second consideration is the grade of chain. The existing chain is
BBB, if I must replace the chain, I'll consider switching to G4 high
tensile and change out the gypsy since the WLL of the G4 is better than
twice that of the BBB. A1 chain seems to be recommended as having the
best price and service for new chain.

Thanks for any help.

--
Steve Sipe
Solo 4303 "Maerin"
Middle River, MD


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[Steve Sipe]

Not an option as a 2 part repair link would jam in the gypsy not to mention the repair would create a weak point & reduce the whole chain to the tensile rating of those links.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 19, 2014, at 10:07 AM, "Rich" <rich...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> While I know this does not answer the question completely, but you could cut
> your chain into 100-foot pieces. I did something similar years back and
> used two-piece links to reconnect the chain without any ill effects.

[Rudy and Jill]

Hi Steve
 
I've always had good luck piggy-backing with a local fabricator that requires stuff to be galvanized, such as a boat trailer manufacturer or boat lift manufacturer. It would be helpful if the galvanizer spun the chain when finished. The last time I had our chain galvanized, they didn't spin it or didn't spin it well, so I had to go though the chain and hammer out the links that had remained galvanized together. This did not damage the links or the galvanizing, just required a pleasant hour or two with a 12 oz hammer.
 
I've found that the cost to do so is usually about half the cost or better of buying new chain.
 
At the risk of mentioning things you already know, I'll do so in case others haven't thought about it.
 
If you do re-galvanize, ask for it to be double-dipped. It isn't actually double-dipped, rather it is just left in the galvanizing longer, resulting in a thicker coating.
 
If you switch to G4, check to make sure that the G4 will work in your wildcat, otherwise, a new wildcat, sized for that chain will be required.
 
The cost to up-size from G3 chain, whether Proof Coil or BBB, will probably be twice the cost as an equal-strength G4, so even including a wildcat, the cost difference, will be minimal, and cheaper the next time you replace the chain.
 
Also, with G4 you will need High strength (alloy) shackles. Or, and, my favorite, is to add oversized links. The over-sized links, if sized appropriately will allow the use of equal-strength regular (carbon) shackles, something that may prove significant if you find yourself in need of a shackle and you don't have the time or the means to obtain an alloy shackle. 
 
If you go with oversized links, check to see if your deck pipe and wildcat, if necessary, will accommodate the oversized link/shackle combination.
 
We use 5/16 G4 chain (WLL 3900 lbs), oversized links that are sized to fit both a 1/2 carbon shackle's (WLL 4000 lbs) pin and the eye. This way, we can insert either into the oversized link.
 
In the past, we've found local welders or machine shops to charge anywhere from $30-$50 per link and some are mobile, able to come to the boat, or at least close.
 
An interesting aside, our 5/16 High Test chain works well in our wildcat sized for 3/8; however, it is a horizontal windlass and we've made the necessary adaptation that cut out the orignial "small" deck pipe and installed a 3.5 inch, off-the-shelf deck pipe with lid.

Rudy and Jill
Cape Coral, Fl
Briney Bug- a 34 foot sail-assisted trawler
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[George Hechtman]

Steve: I looked into this for our 250 feet of BBB chain. I was going to use South Atlantic outside of Greensboro NC. As I recall they had no issue with my length. The guy I talked to was very helpful. I note from their site they have a facility in Ashland VA, which is by Richmond. I never got to it before we sold the boat; in the last couple years we were anchoring in places that never required more than 100 ft or so, so I just flipped the chain as the back half was good.

http://www.southatlanticllc.com/index.php

[Jim Healy]

Steve,

From my notes:
Chain re-galvanizing; http://www.southatlanticllc.com/; South Atlantic Galvanizing, 11020 Lewistown Road, Ashland, VA, 23005; (804) 798-3257

Chain re-galvanizing; Nicholas Galvanizing, Newark, NJ. requires a minimum of 500 lbs; cost was 43 cents per pound (2012).

Chain Re-galvanizing: Metalplate Galvanizing, Jacksonville, FL.; (904) 768-6330.

Chain Re-galvanizing: Valmont Coatings Columbia Galvanizing, 1445 Old Dunbar Road, West Columbia, SC 29172

See Rudy's advice on BBB vs G4. Make sure the wildcat can take the G4 chain!

Hope this is useful.

Jim

Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary, currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
http://gilwellbear.wordpress.com
Monk 36 Hull #132
MMSI #367042570
AGLCA #3767
MTOA #3436

[Jay E Wigginton]

Steve,

We had our chain and anchors re galvanized September 2013 at Nicholas
Galvanizing in Newark, NJ… might be too far for your particular needs but
found it to be a considerable savings over buying new chain… that is as
long as you can meet the minimum weight requirements... This particular
galvanizing company required a minimum of 500 lbs… we had 500 feet of ½”
chain (1320 lbs) and two 110 lb claw anchors (220 lbs) for a total of 1540
lbs… cost was at 43 cents per pound or $663.00… I paid cash and they reduced
the price to $500. They did an excellent job!

I found a large container at a local trucks parts company that was able to
be lifted with a fork lift... placed all the chain and anchors in the
container... rented a pick-up truck from Enterprise and drove to Newark from
Stamford , CT... 40 or 50 miles and dropped off the chain and anchors. Three
days later they called me that it was ready to pick up.


Jay Wigginton #2878
MV SAILS
Currently lying Punta Gorda, FL