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There are no universal standards for chain size, or rather, there are many "standards" for chain size. In the sizes and applications we are considering, there are basically long link and short link chains. BBB is always short link and HT is usually short link. Different manufacturers seem to choose just slightly different dimensions for each of these. The differences are on the order of 0.01 or 0.02 inch and generally would not be noticed in an anchor chain application. There could be some slight difference in wear patterns if these chains were used continuously in some industrial application, but unless you anchor many times a day it is unlikely that the exact chain size would be an issue. The most important thing is that the chain works smoothly and does not slip.

The number one recommendation is to use the chain specified by the windlass manufacturer. Each manufacturer makes several different chain wheels, so the brand name alone does not say much of anything.

I believe most or all Catalina-supplied windlasses use short link chain. If you cannot get any further specific information then either BBB or short link HT will work just fine. You need to avoid so-called "proof coil", which is virtually always long link.

Regards,
Gene Fuller
Yorkshire Rose, C42 #870