Chain and rope

We sell ground tackle by the metre off the reel, cut while you wait. This is the largest part of the catalogue and the part people most often buy the wrong version of, so it is worth two minutes before you order.

What chain do you stock?

Short-link calibrated chain in 6, 8, 10 and 13 mm, all hot-dip galvanised, in Grade 40 as standard. We stock Grade 70 in 8 and 10 mm for boats that need the strength without the weight, at roughly double the price. Calibrated is the word that matters: an anchor winch gypsy is cut for a specific link pitch, and uncalibrated chain of the correct diameter will still jump the gypsy under load. We do not sell uncalibrated chain at all, for that reason.

Which size fits my winch?

For a Tidebreaker, the gypsy sizes are on Products and the fitment detail is on the Tidebreaker page. For any other winch, bring us three links of your existing chain — measuring the diameter alone is not enough, because the pitch varies between makers at the same diameter.

Rope

Three-strand nylon in 12, 14, 16 and 20 mm for anchor rodes, because three-strand stretches and that stretch is what stops the snatch loads that break things. Braided polyester in 8 to 14 mm for sheets and halyards, where you want the opposite. We do not stock floating polypropylene rope for anchor work and will talk you out of it if you ask — it degrades in sunlight and gives no stretch at all.

Splicing

We splice by hand at the counter. An eye splice in three-strand is $18, a chain-to-rope splice for a winch gypsy is $34, and braided rope takes longer at $26. Any of the three is free on a rode over 50 metres bought here. Splices are done the same day if you come before noon, and we will not splice rope you did not buy from us unless we can see its condition along its whole length.

Cut lengths cannot be returned

Once it comes off the reel to your measurement it is yours, because nobody else wants your length. This is the one part of the catalogue with no returns at all — not a restocking fee, no return. Measure twice, and if you are unsure, buy the longer option: chain and rope can always be shortened later, and a rode two metres short is a rode you will replace. The rest of the returns policy is on Policies.