Anchor chain is your boat’s connection to the seabed. The right chain resists corrosion, fits your windlass gypsy, and holds in all conditions. We compared 3 brands of 5/16″ G4 (Grade 43 HT) anchor chain — the most popular size for 25-40 foot boats.
Head-to-Head: 5/16″ G4 Anchor Chain
| Feature | Acco (Peerless) | Campbell | Titan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | ⭐ 4.7/5 | ⭐ 4.4/5 | ⭐ 4.5/5 |
| WLL | 3,900 lbs | 3,900 lbs | 3,900 lbs |
| Break Strength | 15,800 lbs | 15,800 lbs | 15,800 lbs |
| Finish | Hot-dip galvanized | Hot-dip galvanized | Hot-dip galvanized |
| Link Dimensions | Calibrated (±1%) | Standard (±3%) | Calibrated (±2%) |
| Windlass Compatible | • All major brands | May need testing | • Most brands |
| Weight (per ft) | 1.15 lbs | 1.15 lbs | 1.15 lbs |
| Price (per ft) | $4.00–$5.50 | $2.50–$3.50 | $3.00–$4.50 |
| Origin | ?? USA | ?? USA | ?? China |
Brand Reviews
Acco (Peerless) — The Calibrated Standard
⭐ 4.7/5 | Acco chain (made by Peerless / Kito Crosby) is the standard recommendation from windlass manufacturers. The key word is calibrated — link dimensions are held to ±1% tolerance, ensuring perfect fit in your windlass gypsy. A chain that jams in the gypsy at 2 AM in a squall is worse than no chain at all.
Pros: • Tightest calibration (±1%) • Guaranteed windlass compatibility • American-made • Best galvanizing quality • Full test certificates
Cons: • Most expensive • Premium pricing for what looks like “just chain”
What cruisers say: “I bought 200 feet of cheap chain for my first boat. It jammed the Lewmar gypsy constantly. Replaced it with Acco — zero jams in 4 years. Lesson learned.”
Titan — Value Calibrated
⭐ 4.5/5 | Titan (Chinese-made) offers calibrated chain at 30-40% less than Acco. The ±2% tolerance is good enough for most windlasses, though some cruisers report occasional tight spots with older Lewmar gypsies. Galvanizing quality is adequate.
Pros: • Good calibration at lower price • Compatible with most windlasses • Popular with budget cruisers
Cons: • Slightly looser tolerance • Galvanizing thickness can vary • Some windlass fit issues reported
Campbell — Budget but Risky
⭐ 4.4/5 | Campbell G4 chain is the cheapest option but is NOT calibrated for windlass use. The ±3% tolerance means it may or may not fit your gypsy. Fine for manual anchor handling (no windlass), but a gamble with powered systems.
Pros: • Cheapest G4 chain • Fine for manual anchoring • American-made
Cons: • NOT calibrated — windlass fit not guaranteed • Link variations can jam gypsies • May need to be tested with your specific windlass
Anchor Chain Sizing Guide
Chain size by boat length:
• Under 25ft → 1/4″ G4
• 25-35ft → 5/16″ G4
• 35-45ft → 3/8″ G4
• 45-60ft → 7/16″ or 1/2″ G4
How much chain? Rule of thumb: at least 1 foot of chain per foot of boat for all-chain rode, or 20-30 feet of chain + nylon rode for combo systems.
Calibrated vs Standard: If you have a windlass, buy calibrated chain. Period. The cost difference is small compared to the cost of a jammed windlass at 3 AM.
Recommendation
With a windlass: Acco calibrated — guaranteed fit, worth every penny. Budget with windlass: Titan calibrated — test 10 feet through your gypsy before buying 200. Manual anchoring: Campbell — fine when you don’t need calibration.
Ratings from cruising forums and marine supply data. CargoRigging.com is an independent directory.
Looking for trusted suppliers?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between G4 and G3 anchor chain?
G4 (Grade 40, also called High Test or HT) anchor chain has a higher tensile strength than G3 (Grade 30, BBB or Proof Coil), allowing smaller and lighter chain for the same working load. G4 5/16-inch chain has a WLL of approximately 3,900 lbs versus 2,650 lbs for G3 at the same size. G4 is the standard for windlass-equipped boats. G3 is adequate for manual anchor deployment on smaller boats. Both grades fit the same windlass gypsy if the size matches, but G4 and G3 links have different dimensions.
How much anchor chain do I need?
The standard recommendation is a minimum rode length of 7:1 scope ratio times your maximum anchoring depth, measured from the bow roller. For anchoring in 20 feet of water with the bow roller 5 feet above water: (20+5) x 7 = 175 feet minimum. For all-chain rode, 150-200 feet covers most coastal cruising. For chain-and-rope combination rode, use 20-30 feet of chain (to resist abrasion on the seabed) plus enough rope to achieve the 7:1 scope. In storm conditions, increase scope to 10:1.
How do I mark my anchor chain to know how much is deployed?
The most durable method is paint marking at regular intervals: white at 25 feet, red at 50, blue at 75, white at 100, red at 125, and so on. Use a chain-specific paint or spray paint after degreasing the links. Additionally, zip-tie colored markers between links — they are visible even when paint wears off. Some sailors use the military system: 1 shackle (15 fathoms/90 feet) marked with wire wraps. Mark at intervals that match your typical anchoring depths.