We have an opportunity join a group of other cruisers who are having
their anchors and chains re-galvanized. However, we have several
questions about this:

1. We have 3/8" HT chain. We've heard that re-galvanization can
weaken the steel. Is this true? Is there anything the galvanizer can
do, to prevent this?

2. The alternatives are to let it rust, or buy new. How can one tell
when it's time to replace chain? For example, can we measure the
rusting process?

3. The cost is 1 Euro a kilo (about $.60 a pound). How does this
compare with the same job in the States (or elsewhere)? Not that we
can get back there, but just for comparison ...

S/V Akka
Marmaris, Turkey

"Rob Overton" wrote in message
om...
We have an opportunity join a group of other cruisers who are having
their anchors and chains re-galvanized. However, we have several
questions about this:

1. We have 3/8" HT chain. We've heard that re-galvanization can
weaken the steel. Is this true? Is there anything the galvanizer can
do, to prevent this?

At normal galvanizing temperatures, no, it is not a problem to do this at
least once.

Make sure the galvanizer has some method of shaking/vibrating the chain to
prevent clumps of zinc sticking, making the chain difficult to go through a
windlass. Ideally find out from somebody else that has had it done there of
their experience.

2. The alternatives are to let it rust, or buy new. How can one tell
when it's time to replace chain? For example, can we measure the
rusting process?

When the links start getting thinner you're losing strength. It's up to you
to determine how much strength loss you can live with. Frankly, most
anchors will drag long before chain strength gets to be a problem...

3. The cost is 1 Euro a kilo (about $.60 a pound). How does this
compare with the same job in the States (or elsewhere)?

Cheap. In the US, it's more like $1/lb+ if you can find anybody to do it.


--
Evan Gatehouse

you'll have to rewrite my email address to get to me
ceilydh AT 3web dot net
(fools the spammers)

See http://www.galvanizeit.org/ for lots of information, including a locator
for somebody who does this.

--


Keith
__
'I can resist anything but temptation.'
"Evan Gatehouse" wrote in message
...

"Rob Overton" wrote in message
om...
We have an opportunity join a group of other cruisers who are having
their anchors and chains re-galvanized. However, we have several
questions about this:

1. We have 3/8" HT chain. We've heard that re-galvanization can
weaken the steel. Is this true? Is there anything the galvanizer can
do, to prevent this?

At normal galvanizing temperatures, no, it is not a problem to do this at
least once.

Make sure the galvanizer has some method of shaking/vibrating the chain to
prevent clumps of zinc sticking, making the chain difficult to go through
a
windlass. Ideally find out from somebody else that has had it done there
of
their experience.

2. The alternatives are to let it rust, or buy new. How can one tell
when it's time to replace chain? For example, can we measure the
rusting process?

When the links start getting thinner you're losing strength. It's up to
you
to determine how much strength loss you can live with. Frankly, most
anchors will drag long before chain strength gets to be a problem...

3. The cost is 1 Euro a kilo (about $.60 a pound). How does this
compare with the same job in the States (or elsewhere)?

Cheap. In the US, it's more like $1/lb+ if you can find anybody to do it.


--
Evan Gatehouse

you'll have to rewrite my email address to get to me
ceilydh AT 3web dot net
(fools the spammers)