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Slips too expensive? A mooring might be the answer. We begin a test to find the toughest chain out there.

Top to bottom: Acco proof coil, Acco BBB, Acco Hi-Test, Campbell proof coil galvanized, imported (Chinese) proof coil galvanized, Suncor stainless, Campbell proof coil zinc-plated.

Most of us use one of two ways to keep a boat fixed in one place. We can tie it to a dock, or we can attach it to the bottom. In the first case there’s often electricity and fresh water available, and maybe handy things like showers and a laundry; there’s usually easy access to the dock by car and an easy walk to the boat; and there’s good protection from standard wind and wave action. The main downsides are availability (in many locales there are long waiting lists for slips) and high cost (supply and demand at work). Marinas are also sometimes not the best places to be…