anchors stainless steel/galvanized

[Katmat]

I have been checking out anchors and see that there are both stainless steel & galvanized. I have been looking at the Mantus S1, Rocna 15kg & the Manson Supreme 30 pd. to use on a 2012 Ranger 29". I would be boating part time in both salt & fresh water. The stainless steel are about 3 times the price, how long do the galvanized last in salt water use? Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[ALICE J]

I have a Manson Supreme #35 on my R27 2011, used in both salt water and fresh water. It is galvanized. I painted it white to see it better on the bottom. Presently where the paint and galvanization have worn off there is surface rust on the tip and edges. I treat the surface rust with ospho and repaint the anchor. I anchor out a lot with mixed bottoms of sand, gravel, mud, and rocks. I replaced my chain this year because most of the galvanization was gone and rust was becoming an issue. If using the stainless steel anchor, consider a stainless steel chain to reduce the dissimulator metals and eventual waring of the galvanization leading to a rusty chain. All this is tempered with how long you plan to keep your vessel.

 

[tlkenyon]

Stainless is for looks. Galvanized will last essentially forever.

 

[BB marine]

Interesting that you brought this up! We upgraded two years a go to a Rocna. Having boated in fresh water the Rocna looked like a new anchor when we left Kentucky Lake in early October. This anchor has only been in the bottom of saltwater anchorages and brackish waters less than a half dozen times. I like shiny!! What once was a unmarked clean looking shiny galvanized anchor is now an anchor that looks like an Anchor!!! If you want a pretty anchor hanging on the bow, spring for the extra cash. I kinda wish I did but I'm going to live with what I have. Like most everyone else does.

 

[Rocky]

I asked this question of a mentor of mine years ago. He said you buy a Stainless anchor when you have run out of other places on your boat to spend money...

I have also heard that Stainless Anchors take some maintenance to to keep that shine...But they do look good shiny!!

Rocky

 

[FlyMeAway]

You can also re-galvanize an anchor. I looked into doing this on my last boat; it was about 1/3 or so the price of a new galvanized anchor IIRC.

A galvanized anchor properly cared for will last longer than your boat.

 

[SkookumR29]

I agree that stainless is just for looks and is not necessary for longevity. Our R29 came from previous owner all dressed up with a stainless Ultra 16 kg/35# anchor, Ultra stainless swivel chain-to-anchor adaptor and Ultra anchor roller; it really looks fantastic, but came at a cost of probably close to $3,000. I do get some nice comments at the docks, but I'd never have done it that way myself - kind of like having a hood ornament. Galvanized will get the job done.

 

[GypsyMoth]

I have a Manson Supreme #35 on my R27 2011, used in both salt water and fresh water. It is galvanized. I painted it white to see it better on the bottom. Presently where the paint and galvanization have worn off there is surface rust on the tip and edges. I treat the surface rust with ospho and repaint the anchor. I anchor out a lot with mixed bottoms of sand, gravel, mud, and rocks. I replaced my chain this year because most of the galvanization was gone and rust was becoming an issue. If using the stainless steel anchor, consider a stainless steel chain to reduce the dissimulator metals and eventual waring of the galvanization leading to a rusty chain. All this is tempered with how long you plan to keep your vessel.

I've just purchased a Mantus swivel... which is stainless. Of course it will be attached to a galvanized anchor and chain- would this be an issue?

 

[ALICE J]

Dissimilar metals are always an issue. BUT in the real world of boats, the mass of the Stainless Swivel is smaller than the mass of the anchor and chain. I have noticed that the links of the chain close to the swivel seem to lose the galvanization, but I am not sure if this was not due to the abrasion of sand and rocks. I end for ended the chain to get the less worn chain to participate in the action :roll: but no conclusion as to which was worse, galvanic or abrasion :ugeek:

 

[Wee Venture]

One other consideration... every time you drop your anchor, you have no guarantee it will come back up again. I have already had to cut one anchor away (a claw type on a previous boat) because it got fouled on something and would not budge no matter how I tried to dislodge it. But at least it was galvanized and not that traumatic to replace. Every time I see a beautiful (expensive) stainless anchor now I cringe a bit thinking about my own experience.

John