anchor swivel

[Randy]

Is an anchor swivel necessary? Seems like just another potential "weak link"?

[SV THIRD DAY]

The argument for an anchor swivel, we found out is a good one when anchored in a area where your boat will be dancing around your anchor, either due to wind or current because when we didn't have one and later tried to use our windlass to raise anchor the chain rode was so twisted that the windlass had a hard time pulling up the chain.  But in "normal" conditions of anchoring for a day or so, we always had success with just leting the anchor hang and unwind on it's own.

Rich

[Trinity]

If the swivel is sized properly it shouldn't be a weak link and could reduce strain on other links/components by preventing winding and twisting, thereby strengthening the total ground tackle system.
Are they necessary?  No, but I've always used them.  The only real argument against them I can think of would be cost.
Best Regards,
Marc

[Jim Cozy]

We were livaboard cruisers for nearly two years anchoring every night on chain and a CQR. We never had a swivel and never had a problem. Sometimes when on two anchors off the bow the two rodes would twist somewhat, but a swivel would not help in that situation. We intend to go again next year and do not plan to use a swivel, but I see no drawback either.