Stainless anchor on galvanized chain

[SailingCN]

Greetings to all.

I suspect this will open a can of something.

I have a new 10mm G7 galvanized chain and I am planning to replace an old CQR.

I can get a stainless steel Rocna for a very, very good price. How will the SS Rocna work with the Galvanized chain?
Is it a big concern?
I've been told that galvanic corrosion will affect the chain more than the anchor an then only the last chainlink or two.

I plan to use a SS shackle between chain and anchor.

I'd be more than happy to chop the last chain link or two when necessary, unless this would become necessary too soon.

Good idea or terribly bad?

[Tornadosailing]

No worries. Just about any chain swivel you buy will be stainless. I've got a galvanized Mantus, a stainless Mantus swivel, and galvanized chain.

[billknny]

Originally Posted by SailingCN

I can get a stainless steel Rocna for a very, very good price. How will the SS Rocna work with the Galvanized chain?
Is it a big concern?

Nothing bad will happen. In fact, he only bad part of the whole project is the very idea of a stainless anchor in the first place.

I wouldn't buy one even if it was cheaper than a galvanized anchor. Primary issue is that stainless is a weaker material than any of the alloys used to make a good galvanized steel anchor.

On the plus side... it is shiny.

So what's your choice? Strong? or Shiny? Are you a sailor? or a magpie?

[Cheechako]

I dont think it's a big concern, but dont feel a SS anchor is necessarily any better either. I wouldnt pay more for one anyway.

[Tornadosailing]

While I wouldn't pay more for the SS Rocna, I did have a look at their web site regarding the materials used. I don't think I would have a concern about the strength differences. If you can get the SS Rocna for galvanized prices, then go for it.

Anchor materials (Rocna Knowledge Base)

[chris95040]

Well, I'm in the galvanized anchor camp, but just to play devil's advocate..

One of the reported failure modes of an anchor like the Rocna is a wad of mud piling up on it and throwing off the weight. I don't think it's absurd to think a shiny stainless anchor will have slightly better odds of shedding something like that.

[noelex 77]

The galvanised chain will corrode in preference to the anchor, so there is little danger to the anchor.

The area of an anchor is considerably greater than the stainless steel swivel or shackle, but there is not normally a problem with the combination that you suggest. Typically you will have to cut off a foot or so of chain every year or couple of years, but this is of little practical consequence. If it forces you to inspect the chain more carefully it is probably a bonus.

Some stainless anchors are weaker than the galvanised equivalent, but the better models are the same or similar and the concern about anchor strength tends to be overhyped.

Eliminating the need for re galvanising the anchor would be great, but sadly stainless anchors are too expensive for my budget. If you can purchase a good model at a reasonable price grab the opportunity.

[Adelie]

If you stay anchored in one location for extended periods the stainless will suffer for lack of oxygen. If you move regularly no prob.

[Jim Cate]

So what's your choice? Strong? or Shiny? Are you a sailor? or a magpie?

LMAO! Great question, billknny!

Jim

[SaltyMetals]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

LMAO! Great question, billknny!

Jim

Bow jewellery! [emoji30][emoji30]
Andrew

[SailingCN]

Originally Posted by billknny

On the plus side... it is shiny.

So what's your choice? Strong? or Shiny? Are you a sailor? or a magpie?

To be honest, that hadn't crossed my mind.
The appearance isn't so important to me, regardless if it is to have a seemingly shiny, expensive (but perceived weaker anchor (not the case with Rocna based on their literature)). Or if it is more fashionable to not appear the magpie (and spend money on regular re-galvanising, if only to maintain the latter image)

My sole consideration is efficiency. If (and that is an IF) the SS Rocna will outlast its galvanized counterpart, especially without ever needing re-treatments, I'd consider it a sweet deal. If this is at a cost of serious galvanic corrosion, the scale is flipped again.

Based on the answers, it seems like I might have to chop the last few links every other year, which I can live with.

The perspective is: I can get a new, unused SS Rocna for the same price as a MS galvanized Rocna. I will never pay 3 - 4 times the price of the galvanized one for the SS version (the going rate). I believe the potential advantages simply don't justify it. And I can't afford it. But for the same price..

Thanks for the answers, I think I shall go with the SS Roccna.

[SailingCN]

Originally Posted by Adelie

If you stay anchored in one location for extended periods the stainless will suffer for lack of oxygen. If you move regularly no prob.

Good point.

[SailingCN]

Originally Posted by Tornadosailing

While I wouldn't pay more for the SS Rocna, I did have a look at their web site regarding the materials used. I don't think I would have a concern about the strength differences. If you can get the SS Rocna for galvanized prices, then go for it.

Anchor materials (Rocna Knowledge Base)

We're on a 36ft boat with around 10T of displacement loaded. Rocna recomends a 20Kg anchor but I'm going with the 25 kg unit. This should make the strength concern even smaller.

[HopCar]

I used stainless chain with a galvanized anchor for about ten years, no problem.
I did notice the stainless chain didn’t bring up nearly as much mud as galvanized chain.
The mud just didn’t stick.
I wouldn’t hesitate to use a stainless Rocna with galvanized chain.

[a64pilot]

If I could have gotten an SS Rocha for close to the same price as regular steel I would have. If nothing else to resell it.
I am not looking forward to having to regalvanize mine, just finding a place and shipping back and forth is daunting.