Wichard Medium Anchor Swivel for 5/16" to 1/2" Chain

The Wichard Medium Anchor Swivel is 316L stainless for 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2 inch chain, sized at 8mm, 10mm and 12mm.

Covering three chain sizes makes this the most widely usable swivel in the range, and it is the one to choose if the exact chain gauge is uncertain. Chain should still be measured rather than assumed, since 5/16 and 3/8 look similar at a glance and a swivel that does not seat correctly is worse than none.

A swivel lets the anchor rotate into the bow roller by itself, seating correctly whether it surfaced backward, sideways or twisted. Without one, someone leans over the pulpit and turns a heavy anchor by hand, which is where stemheads and knuckles get damaged.

It does the most work in the conditions where nothing else is easy: chop, a hurried retrieval, or wind swinging the bow while the anchor is still clear of the roller. 316L is the low-carbon grade, resisting the intergranular corrosion that can affect welded stainless at a permanently submerged joint. Explore more anchor windlasses.

• Covers 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2 inch chain
• The safest choice when chain gauge is uncertain
• Measure the chain, since 5/16 and 3/8 look alike
• 316L resists corrosion at a submerged joint