Hi members, I was trying the anchor out on my new boat and found that when I winch in the anchor it was some times the wrong orientation and we woul gave to use a gaffe to turn it around so it could be brought up properly. I was thinking that a swivel between the anchor and chain might make it easier.. will this affect the anchor biting in and holding?
Cheers
We use a swivel, for just that reason. Our mixed rope/chain rode also doesn't contribute to consistent chain lay on the gypsy... and I think the anchor balance itself is a factor.
Lots of pros/cons discussed in MANY "swivel" threads on cruisersforum.com (sister site; can't remember if there are many swivel threads here). Upshot appears to be:
1) some insist they're crap, weakest link, etc.
2) some insist they're great (or at least OK)
3) you get what you pay for, and prices vary from $ to $$ to $$$$
4) swivel jaws should not be attached directly to the anchor shaft
There are a couple of non-swivel (?) solutions that are meant to control anchor direction as you bring it in. One is a flip link by Anchor Right (too long for our situation), and the other is a shorter thing that flips the anchor similarly (but I forget the name of that one, haven't explored it).
The Ultra swivel apparently positively control anchor orientation -- whereas the swivels I've used don't; they only allow easier rotation. OTOH, the Ultra swivel is big $$$$ and I wouldn't be thrilled about stainless.
I don't remember seeing much comment about whether a swivel would/would not impact setting/holding.
-Chris