Anchor Swivels: The Shiny Part That Can Lose Your Boat

Anchor Swivels: Caution Required: http://practical-sailor.com/sails-rigging-deckgear/anchor-swivels-caution-required Anchor swivels are everywhere. They’re shiny, expensive, and sold as a “must-have” upgrade for your anchoring system. But do they actually solve a real problem… or do they quietly introduce a dangerous new failure point? In this video, we dig into what reputable marine testing and real-world failures reveal about anchor swivels. We look at how and why swivels fail, what problems they’re supposed to fix, and whether most sailors actually need one at all. We’ll break down common swivel failure modes, side-loading issues, corrosion risks, and why many chain-twist problems are caused by retrieval technique, not missing hardware. You’ll also learn when a swivel might make sense, when it probably doesn’t, and what safer alternatives exist. If you anchor regularly, rely on your ground tackle for safety, or are considering adding an anchor swivel to your boat, this is one piece of gear you’ll want to understand before it fails. Practical Sailor is your trusted resource for reviews of sailboats and sailing gear. https://www.practical-sailor.com Chat with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/PracticalSailor/