Electrolysis Question

[LeisurelyCruise]

I am making up a fisherman style anchoring system for a small boat.

25' of chain, 275' of wire with a swivel inbetween the two.

The wire is galvanized. The only thimbles I can find are stainless steel.

Should I worry about electrolysis?

If I used a piece of heat shrink tubing between the wire and the thimble would that minimize electrolysis?

And what about the swage? That's a different metal as well?

Leisurely Cruiser

[Fishspearit]

Originally Posted by LeisurelyCruise

Should I worry about electrolysis?

No, you don't need to worry about electrolysis unless you plan to hook this rig to your battery and throw it overboard. However you do need to worry about galvanic corrosion. Two different metals together in saltwater= Galvanic corrosion.

I also can't understand why in the world you would want to make an anchor setup with galvanized wire.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Fishspearit

No, you don't need to worry about electrolysis unless you plan to hook this rig to your battery and throw it overboard. However you do need to worry about galvanic corrosion. Two different metals together in saltwater= Galvanic corrosion.

I also can't understand why in the world you would want to make an anchor setup with galvanized wire.

Indeed.

But, if you’re, committed
Google “Galvanized Wire Rope Thimbles”
ie ➥ HD Galvanized Thimble -EY414

[David M]

Do not put anything between the wire and the swage. This could cause the wire to slip through the swage. Be sure to use a thimble as well. Don't worry too much about corrosion if it will not be in the water 24/7. Just keep an eye on it over time. When the galvanizing has corroded away from electrolysis and you are down to bare steel then consider replacing the swage.

I am also wondering why you prefer wire over nylon line for your anchor rode. Is the wire going to be wrapped and stored around a winch drum? In that case it would make sense. Without a winch drum it will be difficult to pull on the wire by hand and you will also have to figure-8 the wire down on deck and then stoppered off so it does not become tangled which can be awkward. Plus it will be difficult to stow since it takes up so much space. Nylon would be more convenient.