Keep an eye on your anchor swivel

[Alex F]

I wanted to post this as a friendly reminder that the holding power of boats ground tackle is as good as the weakest link. With time, your anchor swivel can become one.

We love anchoring, so my ground tackle is used 99% we're out. Years go by and one day I've noticed that one of the pins in the swivel (the one that connects to the chain) has its head slightly sticking out. I tried tightening it. The problem was tiny size allen key hole. It's clearly no match for the job, way too small, IMO. So, my attempt failed as the allen key started to slip. The issue was that the head was sticking maybe 1/8" so, there was no room to grab with vise scripts. Since it was on tight enough where I couldn't turn it, I decided to leave it with intention to keep an eye on it on a regular basis. Good 5-6 months go by and this time I see that the head sticks out slightly more. I gave the allen key another try and this time the pin turned outward with not too much effort.

Point of the story, if you don't pay attention to your swivel, one day it may let you down and you just won't find your boat in the same spot you dropped the hook.

I hope this post will help someone to save the day.

Be safe and happy anchoring!

 

[LMBoat]

Which swivel? Can you post a pic?

 

[my3sons]

Good post. Swivels are usually the weakest link of the anchoring components, (if you don’t count crappy anchors that the shanks bend on) not necessarily because of working load but more often because of them falling apart or breaking when side loaded.
Mantus makes a good swivel, and probably would be the one I would go with if I wanted one.

My swivel

 

[Skybolt]

@Alex F, Man this is one topic of discussion that has been thrown around quite a bit here. When to replace the swivel, use a swivel or just shackle. Which swivel is best and why.

But for the reason of your post, I had one fail on me and thankful I was awake and on the boat. The swivel let go and I lost the anchor in a high wind on my 340. For that reason I only use shackles now. I get why a good swivel can be your friend but I sleep better with a shackle. Good post.

 

[ttmott]

 

[Alex F]

Which swivel? Can you post a pic?

Mine is similar to this one:
https://e-rigging.com/products/stai...ource=google&utm_term=&variant=39964246868041

I don't like those tiny holes for small alen key, so I purchased a new swivel from Mantus. Will be installing it when I'll be replacing my entire chain, in the next month or so.

View attachment 138850

The new one I got exactly the same.

@Alex F, Man this is one topic of discussion that has been thrown around quite a bit here. When to replace the swivel, use a swivel or just shackle. Which swivel is best and why.

But for the reason of your post, I had one fail on me and thankful I was awake and on the boat. The swivel let go and I lost the anchor in a high wind on my 340. For that reason I only use shackles now. I get why a good swivel can be your friend but I sleep better with a shackle. Good post.

I personally don't like just the shackle approach. I use 10:1 scope and the chain does quite a bit of twisting and the swivel helps. Just need to use reliable one.

 

[dtfeld]

I replaced mine with a Mantus after Bennett lost his anchor to a bad swivel/shackle a couple years back.

They are pretty cheap and have a good reputation.

 

[Mauler34Rod]

View attachment 138850

Manus S2 or 3? ….the only swivel I’ll use, might be 2x cost but worth the $

 

[ttmott]

Manus S2 or 3? ….the only swivel I’ll use, might be 2x cost but worth the $

S2

 

[Woody]

Good post. Swivels are usually the weakest link of the anchoring components, (if you don’t count crappy anchors that the shanks bend on) not necessarily because of working load but more often because of them falling apart or breaking when side loaded.
Mantus makes a good swivel, and probably would be the one I would go with if I wanted one.

My swivelView attachment 138847

I don't use a swivel either. I do stop raising the anchor for a moment near the surface. Sometimes it has to unwind, sometimes not.

 

[dtfeld]

I don't use a swivel either. I do stop raising the anchor for a moment near the surface. Sometimes it has to unwind, sometimes not.

The Mantus isn't about unwinding once out of the water, but taking the load when the anchor sets, or the boat swings when setting.

These things are cheap insurance.

 

[Skybolt]

The Mantus isn't about unwinding once out of the water, but taking the load when the anchor sets, or the boat swings when setting.

These things are cheap insurance.

I don't really see the benefit over two shackles, loops connected and bolt(s) through anchor and chain. Unless the boat is spinning in circles.

 

[dtfeld]

Hold one on your hand. Much more solid...beefier

 

[Woody]

I don't really see the benefit over two shackles, loops connected and bolt(s) through anchor and chain. Unless the boat is spinning in circles.

Shackles are good, that's why there is one as part of the Mantus swivel assembly.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Once upon a time, on my 10 meter we're anchored out in Pelican Bay on a quiet afternoon, no real wind, no rushing tide, when all of a sudden the bow begins to drift....

The very last chain link connecting the rode to the chain quietly dissolved, unseen as this was the part under the rode connection.

Must have been an angel on our shoulder that day, as it happened in the afternoon with everyone topsides to notice it.

if you have a combination chain/rode setup its a good idea to inspect or re splice this connection periodically

BEST !

RWS

 

[Stee6043]

Seems I'm the only guy that went with a Lewmar swivel

 

[Skybolt]

... The very last chain link connecting the rode to the chain quietly dissolved, unseen as this was the part under the rode connection. ...

And that is exactly why I am all chain. Had the same happen, except it broke while retrieving, another one lost ...

 

[Skybolt]

Seems I'm the only guy that went with a Lewmar swivel


View attachment 138886

That's the one that let go on me with my 340.

 

[LMBoat]

You need a shackle between that Lewmar swivel and the anchor. That set up won't take much side loading before it will break.

I was a shackle guy for a long time thinking a swivel was a failure point, but at last year's air show I was anchored in 30 feet of water. When I pulled the chain up, it was twisted and got stuck in the windlass. It looked like a roll of quarters. I think the anchor was spinning on the way up. I now have a Mantus (agree expensive, but great quality, and weight). So far, so good.

 

[Alex F]

Seems I'm the only guy that went with a Lewmar swivel


View attachment 138886

I never had any issue with mine, until it was time to do a basic "service". As you can see from my experience, when the swivel ages and the threads are starting to seize, the small alen key or philips head don't give you enough leverage to make necessary adjustments. That was a showstopper for me.

Since you already got it, I'd put a thread locker. Hopefully it'll be good enough to prevent the pins from working its way out.

In all fairness, my LEWMAR swivel did the job for good 13-15 years. So, I can't complain too much.

You need a shackle between that Lewmar swivel and the anchor. That set up won't take much side loading before it will break....

That's an excellent point!

Even though mine did a great job (I believe the middle shaft in the swivel is much thicker for that reason), I clearly see a huge benefit during the big swings. When anchor tries to reset, there's obviously big side load. Without a shackle, the swivel will have to take that side load on its shaft. It makes perfect sense to add a shackle to avoid this variable.

It looks like Mantus folks had thought about it as their swivel installation suggests adding a shackle to the anchor side.

Quick example here:
https://www.go2marine.com/mantus-s2...CAH0E7X55VpDSN5Odykw9NzGE9vTydmYaAu2VEALw_wcB