How to order

To have a smoot ordering process, here is a guide on how to order your new shiny anchor chain. The chain is made to order, and the delivery time is normally between 4 and 6 weeks, plus a week for customs depending on the country.

1. You need to find the dimensions of chain you need.
   1. Settle on the length of your chain.
   1. Where you chain shall be delivered. This will decide the VAT there has to be paid.

1. If you have access to the documentation for your Windlass, it will often tell you the dimensions. Many Windlass have a replicable Gipsy and can use multiple chain sizes. Look at your Gipsy and measure the dimensions om your existing chain.
   

Chains are measured according to the above illustration:

• d: is the thickness of the material used. Measuring your old chain, it can be slightly thicker due to oxidation or slimmer do to material losses and stretching.
• t: is the inner length of the chain link this is also the length that a single chain link adds to the length of the chain.
• b1: is the inner measurement of the inner hole.
• B2: The outer with of the chain link

• The length of your chain is decides by 3 factors:
  • How deep is the water where you are anchoring.
  • The wind load pulling on your boat
  • How good you want to sleep.

If you are day sailing in nice weather (< 10 knots wind) and only anchor for swimming or picnic 4 to 5 times the water depth is normally OK.

If you are cussing in normal/calm conditions and (<30 knots of wind) about 7 times the water depth is normally considered safe.

Are you offshore sailing a chain length of about 10 times the water depth is considered the right choice.

Check also the boat manufactures recommendations and add extra for a good night’s sleep.

• Where do you want to install your new chain. Consider the weight of your chain.

If you are ordering 30 meters of 6mm Stainless Anchor Chain, for your day curser, the wight is about 24 kg (30*0,78) plus packeting, this is manageable by most.
If you are ordering 80 meters of 13mm Stainless Anchor Chain for your offshore catamaran, it will be delivered in a steel-drum on a pallet the weight all together is about 350 kg. This needs a forklift or pallet jack onside to unload the chain from the truck.
Get a shipyard to handle the heavy lifting:

It is often a good idea to get then chain delivered directly to a shipyard, where they can handle the switch. Switching an anchor chain does normally not take long, maybe an hour if everything runs smoothly. The shipyard will often doo it at a fair price, if the get the old chain that they can sell as scrap metal, and then you don’t have to deal with it.
Talk with the shipyard in advance, so they knot that they can accept the chain when it arrives. The local truck-driver, may want to call ahead of delivery, thus make sure to give the contact info of the shipyard.
VAT is calculated based on the delivery address (the shipyard address).

When the above 3 points are decided on, you are ready to order. You can order online and your are always welcome to contact us if you need clarification, have questions or special requests.

Best regards,
the Anchor Chain guy,