Do I really need/want a swivel ?

[mgphl52]

Preparing to attach my new chain & rode to a 10kg Bruce.
The 8-plait rode is spliced to the 30 foot of chain.
Do I really need to have a swivel between the anchor and chain?
Or will a simple shackle be sufficient?

[Jim Walsh]

A shackle is sufficient. A Crosby G-209 is well worth the cost. A swivel is popular with those who have an electric windlass and an anchor design which cannot be trusted to seat properly in the anchor roller. A good swivel is very expensive and introduces another possible point of failure to an anchor system.
Don't forget to mouse your anchor shackle pin with Monel wire.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Michael:

This is a July 2015 article from Practical Sailor. The article discusses reasons not to install a swivel.

http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/Br ... 783-1.html

This is an article on shackles:

http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/ ... 761-1.html

This is a Practical Sailor October 2016 article comparing the various shackles. I think you have to be a subscriber to access the full article. It is a very good discussion of shackles, materials to avoid (S/S), etc.

http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/ ... ry-paywall

Somewhere in one of the Practical Sailor articles (it may be the one that is "subscriber access only") there is a chart of swivels, breaking strengths, etc. I believe the shackle Jim W. recommended (Crosby G-209) was one of the few recommended by Practical Sailor. If and when I ever get S/V Bali Ha'i back in the water ( ) it will be the shackle I invest in. I think the one I am looking at is a CROSBY G-209 7/16" GALVANIZED ANCHOR SHACKLE WITH SCREW PIN. There is a place in Miami that sells them for about $11 each.

As I have stated many times beware of any shackle (or other metal products) mfg. in China. They are garbage. One of the Practical Sailor articles discusses this and, if I recall correctly, even shows a pix of one of these inferior shackles that has the word "CHINA" stamped on the shackle. It might as well have been stamped "Caveat Emptor".

Crosby (along with a diminishing number of other mfg.) is a US MADE product. Quality.

[mgphl52]

Thanks for the feedback! Ordering a couple of Crosby shackles now from Defender.