Anchor Swivel

CurrentSea

CurrentSea

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So got my new fortress anchor and went to install it. To my surprise the old anchor was connected via a swivel with one side having a bolt and the other side having a cotter pin. Of course if I removed the cotter pin it would snap and I would need a new one, which of course is easy to come by. As I looked at it, I saw it was rusted, which made me think that is a huge point of failure. So I was going to replace it with a new swivel with bolts on both sides. But then I saw the barrel design shackles which look better and I was trying to decide which swivel I needed. So I googled and researched and found this:

http://www.morganscloud.com/2010/09/12/anchor-swivels/

So now I am questioning do I need a swivel at all? I have to agree the less points of failure on a anchor rode, the better you are.

What say the experts?
 
I never understood the purpose of them. Never had one on the big haze grey things I used to be on.
 
I have left a 110lbs Bruce buried in the menu of the Indian river across Titusville marina because the suncor pos swivel failed....

The swivel pictured in that link is not a suncor, but it looks like a Kong knock off .

The only reason I can see for use a Kong swivel is that it can not catch on the sides of chute as a regular shackle can in some condition. I used one on starfish for that reason (26' sloop)

On charmer I now have 176 pound Bruce with all chain and no swivel. It works, I never had an issue other than the pin catching on the side of th chute maybe once of of ten retrievals... No big deal. But the chain doesn't twist or jam and the anchor has never failed to set. Well, maybe twice in 4 years and over 1000 sets
 
So swivel is not needed? That makes it easier for me.
I also want to lock the bolts on the shackle with wire.
Anyone have any reference on how to do that?
 
Use SS locking wire thru the eye of the pin to the shackle body. Inspect regularly.
 
I have had a swivel, like the one in the photo in operation for 14 years now.

That picture scares the crap out of me.

We run 200' 3 strand rode + 30' chain.

The rode is now worn at the chain splice and it occasionally will stall at the windlass gypsy.

I had planned on simply swapping the ends on the rode.

Would this be a good time to upgrade to 8 strand and kill the swivel at the same time?

Get it at WM and have them marlinspike it?

If I buy it from Defender, how do I locate a local Marlinspike guy?

This may go to the top of my DO list.

Thanks,

RWS
 
I wouldn't switch the line, if it's in good shape just swap it. Splicing 3 strands is easy, you can DIY

It's been a long time since if used line as a rode but even back then I ve never had the need for a swivel.
 
I run 3 strand and 25' of chain.
I am dumping the swivel, I can turn the anchor by hand if it gets hung up.
I am sure the decision to swivel or not is based on the design of the roller, then anchor and the type of rode.
In my view a anchor should have as few points of potential failure as possible.
That swivel scares me but so does the rusty cotter pin on my current jaw type swivel.
 
Me thinks some of you all make up things to worry about. Before I looked at the picture, I thought the failure would have been at the pressed in rivet that was the swivel point. But no, looks like the tapered allen head machine screw pulled thru the body of the swivel.

I think the swivel concept is still valid, but the head of the fastener needs to be larger than the hole it penetrates, and the use of a tapered fastener does not preclude pull thru in this application.

But I will check my swivel this weekend !
 
I know my survey for the Gulfstar says to install a safety wire on the swivel or remove the swivel. It's under suggestions not stuff that must be done.
I had a swivel on the Mainship never had any problems with it and no safety wire.
Bill
 
Not sure we make stuff up but rather we report things that have happened to others or could happen.
The question is always do you prefer the side of comfort or caution?
A swivel makes it easier for the anchor to remove the kinks from the line and to retrieve better, but the cost is more failure points.
I prefer to have less fail points and manually turn my anchor if I have to.
Anchoring is one event on boat my admiral hates and I don't need issues.
The new fortress will make her more comfortable as we dragged the one that is there once.
 
The damaged swivel in that picture shows the reason in many cases it's better not to attach the swivel directly to the anchor. But have a short length of chain or a shackle between the swivel and anchor so the swivel can not bind up on the anchor if pulled on hard from the side.

But in most cases you do not need a swivel.
 
I have done lots of anchoring and never used a swivel for the reasons stated above. Always safety wire shackle bolts.
I don't think they really stop the rode from twisting anyway. From time to time get into deep water and drop the anchor almost to the bottom. Pull up slowly and all twist will be gone.
 
Some additional failures:

swivel.jpg


Anchor-Connector,-the-weake.jpg


Connector%20types.jpg


IMG_0291.jpg


Swivel.jpg


0510-IMG_1024.jpg
 
Wow. I guess tension / corrosion did cause a pullout problem. I think part of what is going on here is that we are importing way too much junk hardware from our communist trading partner.

I have one end of my swivel mated to a 20' piece of chain, and the other end to a shackle. Then the shackle to the anchor.
 
quote:
Originally posted by jpowell

Wow. I guess tension / corrosion did cause a pullout problem. I think part of what is going on here is that we are importing way too much junk hardware from our communist trading partner.

I have one end of my swivel mated to a 20' piece of chain, and the other end to a shackle. Then the shackle to the anchor.

Click to expand...
That's what I had on my previous boat.
Bill
 
The swivel should never have to go thru the windlass. It attaches the anchor to the end of the rode.
 
They do recommend a small piece of chain shackled to the anchor, then swivel, then more chain.
With this, the swivel would be before windlass on most boats.

I am dumping my swivel!
 
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