Anchors - galvanised or stainless steel?

[ColourfulOwl]

The anchor that came with my boat I believe is a Brittany anchor, which doesn't exactly have the best reputation for being a main anchor.

I'm looking to upgrade to a rocna / delta anchor and need something around 16kg (11m).

Which brings up the question of do I folk out the money for a stainless anchor or go with a galvanized one? Other than aesthetics is there any difference? Pros and cons of each type?

 

[dunedin]

Stainless anchors are for bling when sitting unused on the bows in a marina.
If your anchor is on the bottom bling doesn't matter. And i suspect shiny doesn't help grip (may or may not reduce it).
Most serious cruisers, like us, have a galvanised anchor and enty of chain. Used extensively.
PS Many good types of "new generation" anchors, most are good. But we binned a Delta to replace with Rocna, as Delta not in same league IMHO

 

[ColourfulOwl]

Stainless anchors are for bling when sitting unused on the bows in a marina.
If your anchor is on the bottom bling doesn't matter. And i suspect shiny doesn't help grip (may or may not reduce it).
Most serious cruisers, like us, have a galvanised anchor and enty of chain. Used extensively.
PS Many good types of "new generation" anchors, most are good. But we binned a Delta to replace with Rocna, as Delta not in same league IMHO

Thanks for that. That's pretty much what I thought. I'm not one of those people who wants to spend a week of every month polishing stainless to make it shiny... The white decks in the sun blinds me enough without a giant magpie attractor stuck on the bow xD. I'm going to pick up a galvanized, but need to explore a bit about what will work well for me and the area's I want to sail Plan is to do a circumnavigation of the UK, either in 2024 or 2025, then look at going further a field. Whilst this year I plan to pop over from Fleetwood to Isle of Man this year and maybe venture north to Scotland in the season for a few weeks.

 

[Tranona]

All the "new" anchors are better than older styles. Choice it sits well on your bow roller. You will find it is a hotly debated subject, but in practical terms there is little to choose between them as they all set and hold well in a range of seabeds. The standout for me is the latest Epsilon from Lewnar which is substantially cheaper than the others and performs as well on tests. That is what I chose. 16kg is the correct size and Marine Suoerstore are usually the best priced.. I assume you already have a windlass with most likely 8mm chain.

 

[westernman]

If you can't decide which anchor have a look in the following video and the other 153 in the series.

You still won't be able to decide afterwards either......

 

[Sandy]

Oh gawd not another anchor thread!

May I suggest you look at a Knox well pleased with mine.

 

[Seven Spades]

If you budget allows get a stainless anchor and Cromox SS chain. There are two benifits.

1. The anchor and chain will come up clean
2. The chain won't pile up.

The downside is:

1. Cost

 

[papaver19]

Another downside to s/s anchors is they sometimes get stolen off the seabed while you are anchored, as they are so valuable. More a problem in the Caribbean than the UK though.

As for the particular model, I was let down by my Rocna several times, so I have changed to the French "Spade", no problems since.

 

[Star-Lord]

If you can't decide which anchor have a look in the following video and the other 153 in the series.

You still won't be able to decide afterwards either......

I will save you time... Buy a Spade. I had two Rocnas (20 and 25). They set well on a shorter scope than a Spade but that hoop will cause problems if you are at anchor for a few days (or weeks in one spot. Twice I weighed anchor and the chain had wrapped around the hoop. Luckily when weighing anchor conditions were calm so there were no dramas - but if the wind had been howling and boats dragging down on me it would have been a real pain to untangle that mess. Setting a spade is best done (imho) at 4 or 5 to 1. The Rocna would set in 3 to 1. And a little hint - never set less then 20m of chain even if you are in 3m.

 

[westernman]

I will save you time... Buy a Spade. I had two Rocnas (20 and 25). They set well on a shorter scope than a Spade but that hoop will cause problems if you are at anchor for a few days (or weeks in one spot. Twice I weighed anchor and the chain had wrapped around the hoop. Luckily when weighing anchor conditions were calm so there were no dramas - but if the wind had been howling and boats dragging down on me it would have been a real pain to untangle that mess. Setting a spade is best done (imho) at 4 or 5 to 1. The Rocna would set in 3 to 1. And a little hint - never set less then 20m of chain even if you are in 3m.

I would be tempted to get a Vulcan if I was in the market for a new anchor, with the Spade as second choice.

 

[wonkywinch]

If you budget allows get a stainless anchor and Cromox SS chain. There are two benifits.

1. The anchor and chain will come up clean
2. The chain won't pile up.

The downside is:

1. Cost

I'll highlight that for you.

Cost

I liked the look of stainless so much I vaguely considered buying one for my own boat when I snagged the (galvanised) Rocna on a charter boat and had to liberate it with a junior hacksaw from the toolkit.

I did two things. Changed my mind on buying stainless anchors & chains. Bought a proper full sized hacksaw with suitable 32tpi blades for my own boat.

 

[ashtead]

You c§an of course carry a battery angle grinder if cutting chain is you thing . I have admired shiny versions but haven’t even moved on from the Lewmar delta yet . I doubt for most uses the bliny stainless type makes a difference but if I had say an oyster 47 I might buy one.

 

[Roberto]

I'll highlight that for you.

Cost

2021 quotes for 70m Cromox were (EU):
EUR 3.5k for 8mm
EUR 5.2k for 10mm

 

[Star-Lord]

I would be tempted to get a Vulcan if I was in the market for a new anchor, with the Spade as second choice.

I would not. I would buy the Spade. There is a reason people buy them! If you want a cheap option the Delta (even though is not a new gen) will be suitable for most conditions if you size it correctly. I have met boats in the Med who anchor for months and months with a Delta. Just make sure you set it properly.

 

[Hermit]

Keep a look out for second hand bargains as well. I got a second hand Ultra (I know, stainless bling!) on gumtree for the price of a galvanised Spade (and before the current price craziness).

Now, at least, I have an anchor for life

 

[Hermit]

Keep a look out for second hand bargains as well. I got a second hand Ultra (I know, stainless bling!) on gumtree for the price of a galvanised Spade (and before the current price craziness).

Now, at least, I have an anchor for life

Ahem, cough, cough, @ColourfulOwl 20KG Spade Anchor for sale

 

[ColourfulOwl]

Ahem, cough, cough, @ColourfulOwl 20KG Spade Anchor for sale

Not a bad deal that. Unfortunately I'm based in the north west and the fuel cost to drive down would basically be the same as the amount saved Great offer if someone is in the area though

 

[trapper guy]

imho, welding of stainless is a complicated process, leaving the materials prone to cracking with not a whole lot of force if done improperly.
for that reason alone id go for plain old galved steel any day, simply for peace of mind.

 

[Neeves]

As mentioned stainless anchors are primarily bought for their ability to hold bling. There is no intention to impose any force.



Jonathan

 

[Seven Spades]

I can't agree with that. For example the Ultra Anchor is only available in Stainless and I woudl love one for two reasons. Firstly I think it is the best anchor on the market for holding and setting and secondly because it will come us clean and I won't need to hose off glutenous mud and have to deal with sprayback!