MacGregorSailors.com

Any such thing as a rust free anchor chain?

By rust I assume you mean oxidation of the metal. The only thing I know of now is 316 stainless steel chain, which in pure fresh water shows no rust. However, add salt, fertilizers, and naturally occuring chemicals to the water along with possilbe galvanic corrosion and even 316 stainless will corrode at normal temperatures.
There are metal alloys like phosphor bronzes and titaniums and tungstens and treated aluminums which would not rust easily but they do not have the characteristics needed to make them strong, malleable and inexpensive enough to be used as anchor chain. As far as I know, 316 stainless is the best available in anchors or chains. If something else is available, I hope to hear about it before my next anchor or chain purchase.

have stainless on our M. Going into our 3rd season, still looks as good as new

Mark - There has been a major discussion on this in in SSCA Board.

Cost is the major concern. Replace every 2 years and it will take you a while to pay the same as SS chain.

Long term use under water is another as noted above.

IN between standard and SS chain is coated (plastic dipped) chain - might be a good compromise between cost of SS and less rust than standard.

What about something like this?
Three Strand Ancor Line



jackie m

Another option?

Lead Anchor Line

jackie m

A good way to control rust is to use a Permatex product called Rust Treatment (used to be called Extend). It works best on something that has rust on it. Just brush/wipe off any loose rust and then spray or wipe this product on. It will dry to a black oxidized finish. Then you can leave it that way or paint it. No more rust. Available in many automotive departments.

http://www.permatex.com/products/automo ... atment.htm

MAC26X wrote:A good way to control rust is to use a Permatex product called Rust Treatment (used to be called Extend). It works best on something that has rust on it. Just brush/wipe off any loose rust and then spray or wipe this product on. It will dry to a black oxidized finish. Then you can leave it that way or paint it. No more rust. Available in many automotive departments.

(shortened link)

I agree that Extend is an excellent product to kill rust, but you can't leave the part untreated afterwards - if you do the rust will quickly return - trust me on this one.

I would probably just use Hammerite... this paint will greatly extend the lifetime before re-rusting. Besides, Hammerite comes in nifty colors! I love the stuff... I have a piece of cast iron pipe that's been outside in the forest elements for over 15 years now and still hasn't rusted. However you *cannot* use Hammerite over a de-rusing product like Extend... you must use Hammerite directly on the rusted metal after cleaning off the flaking bits and abrading the surface (sanding, grinding or just blasting).. This method works great, and a Hammerite finish is extremely durable.

Use two coats of Hammerite, and be sure to apply them both within 4 hours if brushing, or 1 hour if you're spraying, to ensure maximum protection and adhesion.

I've seen vinyl and nylon coated chain that looked pretty when new, but under frequent anchoring conditions in salt water began rusting where the links wore through the coating under tension.

SS looks cool, too. As tight as I am, my gal chain was fine - until I found 30' of 316 SS 1/4 chain for a fraction of the cost of my gal chain.

Won the lowest bid - It's a crazy world.

It too is showing some signs of rust. The Gulf's water is relentless.

Still looks cool, though. Feel's great in your hands, and when I'm anchored on the island with the hook on the beach with that glistening SS chain, everyone who walks by makes a point to look at it.

Probably think I'm some kind of a freak having so much SS chain! Maybe it's the odd ROCNA.

Michael