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Anchor swivels, yes or no ?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by dennismc, Aug 26, 2015.

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  1. dennismc, Aug 26, 2015
    #1
    dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    Major discussion here at the Marina, seems to be about 75% say no, what say the experienced Yachtsmen ?
  2. Ken Bracewell, Aug 26, 2015
    #2
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Absolutely! More so in the Pacific Northwest, as the tides will spin you in circles several times in a day.
    Just make sure they are spec'd to match the ground tackle.
  3. menkes, Aug 26, 2015
    #3
    menkes

    menkes Member

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    Absolutely yes, it helps the anchor dig itself quicker, deeper, and better especially in case of rediging
  4. Beau, Aug 26, 2015
    #4
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I've seen a couple of the newer designs fail pretty severely. The older galvanized closed loops stand up pretty well.

    My son will not sell the newer design at his marina. The local TowboatUS berths at his place and he has gotten some pretty good work out of these new design swivels.
  5. Ken Bracewell, Aug 26, 2015
    #5
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    They're not easy to find, but ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) approved swivels are available. In order to be approved, the entire manufacturing process is scrutinized by class.
  6. Capt Ralph, Aug 26, 2015
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I've been recommending the Ultra Swivels for a while now for cruising. The users and customers around me that use it swear by it.
    I'm sure it's not ABS or any cert from anybody but never heard of one failing.
    http://www.quickline.us/ultra-swivel.aspx

    On the other hand, When I set my storm anchors, I make rigs with lots of chain, super long splices, big A thimbles and no swivel.
  7. Pascal, Aug 26, 2015
    #7
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I really don't see how a swivel will help the anchor set...

    On the boat I run, I don't use one and anchor probably 100 to 150 times a year. Never needed one. Don't have one on my hatt either.

    The biggest benefit is that you don't have a shackle pin catching the edge of the roller frame which is one I put on Kong swivel on my small gaffer.

    The Kong is supposed to be really good. A few years ago I left a 110 lbs Bruce in the bottom of the Indian River off Titusville Fl when the Suncor swivel failed while setting, thankfully those Bruce are cheap!
  8. Norseman, Aug 26, 2015
    #8
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Never used a swivel, anchored more times that God.
    Never had a problem.
    (Caribe, Bahamas, Florida, mostly shallow stuff)
    It may be different in the Pacific NW and other areas.
    Afraid of internal corrosion with subsequent failure.
    Used to be a young live-board with no insurance.
    No swivel, just big anchor, big chain and slept with an eye open.
  9. K1W1, Aug 27, 2015
    #9
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    I don't think that I have worked on a boat that doesn't use them but we are all chain. I won't be using one on my own smaller boat with a mixture of chain and rope anchor rode.
  10. Belle, Aug 27, 2015
    #10
    Belle

    Belle Member

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    God doesn't anchor. She has DPS.
  11. dennismc, Aug 27, 2015
    #11
    dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    The issue I have with my swivel on my 56kg Bruce is that the anchor seldom aligns at the roller when coming in and I have to lean over the bow and give it turn to get aligned, also, why would a swivel protect against swing issues if there is a large shackle between the chain and the anchor ?
  12. Capt Ralph, Aug 27, 2015
    #12
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Check into my post #6 above.
  13. Norseman, Aug 28, 2015
    #13
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Hmm, I googled DPS and none the wiser.
    Is God a Shemale? :D
  14. Capt Ralph, Aug 28, 2015
    #14
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Dynamic Positioning System.
  15. K1W1, Aug 28, 2015
    #15
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Dags Private System?
  16. YachtForums, Aug 28, 2015
    #16
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Funny Belle!
  17. 61c40, Aug 28, 2015
    #17
    61c40

    61c40 Member

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    Back in the 70s and 80s we anchored 25 times a day in water depths from 30 >300 ft for 9 months a year for 3 years. With 3 strand nylon we had to use a swivel to prevent hockels with braid we didn't. we used a hammerlock swivel hammerlock then the anchor on a 80kg danforth style on a 100 ton vessel
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2015
  18. Norseman, Aug 28, 2015
    #18
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    But of course. It came pretty far down on The Google list
    However.

    Heard of some helicopters having a similar system, you can park them in the sky and they will maintain position.
  19. K1W1, Aug 29, 2015
    #19
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    What may I ask were you doing that required you to anchor every 57 minutes?
  20. 61c40, Aug 29, 2015
    #20
    61c40

    61c40 Member

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    Most harbors on the great lakes have a river that has industry or agriculture that add (stuff) to the lake, In 1975 for example we did a grid with 21 stations from the harbor entrance out to 100 meters and and on each side, at the mouths of Ludington MI, Manitowac WI,Racine WI,Port Washington WI,Grand Haven MI,Waukegon ILL, Michigan City IN,Benton Harbor MI, South Haven MI,Holland MI, Grand Haven MI , Muskegon Mi, and back to Ludington MI. We did this continually from april thru november at each station we would collect a bathythermagraph 0f water temp a transmissometer of water clarity water samples for coloform bacteria,dissolved oxygen, bottom samples,net tows for phyto and zooplankton,and water samples for trace metal analysis.
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