Stainless or Galvanized Anchor

[mjgill1]

What's your preference and why? I'm debating on buying a stainless one but for the price, I could almost get two galvanized.

[boom23]

Galvanized, unless you want bow jewelry.

[boatman61]

Yup... Get a good Gal..

[Compass790]

I like stainless because it's stainless but I made my own so didnt have the sticker shock to contend with. Bent the shank almost in a U in a storm ( nearest wind gauge disintegrated @ 93knts ) anchor was wedged in rocks but it survived. Not a pleasant night. Only a 24ft keeler tho so not very heavy. Anchor was fabricated out of plate, not cast so less brittle.
PITA regalvanizing anchors IMO

[mjgill1]

How about going over sized. Say a 44# instead of the recommended 33#?

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by mjgill1

How about going over sized. Say a 44# instead of the recommended 33#?

How about one for everyday use and one as a storm anchor? If you don't have room for a spare go with the heaviest you can handle if your cruising lifestyle dictates.

[lateral]

Originally Posted by Compass790

I like stainless because it's stainless but I made my own so didnt have the sticker shock to contend with. Bent the shank almost in a U in a storm ( nearest wind gauge disintegrated @ 93knts ) anchor was wedged in rocks but it survived. Not a pleasant night. Only a 24ft keeler tho so not very heavy. Anchor was fabricated out of plate, not cast so less brittle.
PITA regalvanizing anchors IMO

I'm seriously thinking of fabbing my own.
What did you use? 316 or better.
I can get 2205 CNC laser cut and stitch up with same rods.
Bit spendy but the yield is getting closer to hi-tensile steel.
Cost me about the same as a galv Rocna.
I won't be polishing the crap out of it, only passivated.

[Simi 60]

Galvanised.
Why?
Two reasons, because S/S is susceptible to micro cracks and for that I will pay about $8k more for our sized anchor.

[rabbi]

Galvanized for cost. in a size that makes you feel comfortable in a good blow. If thaats oversized so be it.

Another reason for galvanized: Shiny polished stainless is slippery compared to galvanized. You will bring up way more mud with the galvanized one compared to SS. Sticky is good for an anchor !

[markpierce]

One would feel less pain and sorrow when forced to abandon a galvanized anchor than one in SS.

[ggray]

The ss anchor will eat away the galvanizing of your chain...unless you have ss chain as well. And that's not as strong as galv. chain,unless you really pay $$$

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by lateral

I'm seriously thinking of fabbing my own.
What did you use? 316 or better.
I can get 2205 CNC laser cut and stitch up with same rods.
Bit spendy but the yield is getting closer to hi-tensile steel.
Cost me about the same as a galv Rocna.
I won't be polishing the crap out of it, only passivated.

I used 316L, Have been making anchors for over 25 years & my own anchor warp swivels, no failures. All outa the same material. You dont have to polish the heck out of it. The sand does that for you but yes passivate. People trust the ss stuff for rigging but seem to be predjudiced against ss anchors.
Very good point that if you buy them it's a lot less painful losing a galv one.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Compass790

I used 316L, Have been making anchors for over 25 years & my own anchor warp swivels, no failures. All outa the same material. You dont have to polish the heck out of it. The sand does that for you but yes passivate. People trust the ss stuff for rigging but seem to be predjudiced against ss anchors.
Very good point that if you buy them it's a lot less painful losing a galv one.

I'm not sure we (I) trust ss rigging but Gal would look terrible (go vanity). The anchors underwater, it's ok to look terrible.. Lol.

[boom23]

Originally Posted by mjgill1

How about going over sized. Say a 44# instead of the recommended 33#?

If you plan to do serious cruising, a heavier and good type anchor is a good idea. For a stern anchor, you can use something lighter, like Fortress.

[Lepke]

Not very many galvanized anchors get stolen. They last a long time. If the coating gets broken, it can be fixed with a stick of zinc and a torch.
My galvanized anchor came with the boat. It's very old, at least 40-50 years. 200#, a ss equivalent would be $2000+