Cheap Chinese stainless anchors

sb in gp

Active Member
Oct 10, 2006
858
Grosse Pointe, MI
Boat Info
2016 Tiara 50 Coupe
Engines
Volvo D11 IPS
My galvanized anchor performs great but looks terrible.

I'm looking to upgrade to a shiny stainless plow anchor in the same size/weight.

On ebay I can find Chinese made anchors for 1/2 the price of the brand name anchors with free shipping. A friend has one at my marina, and it looks great. Before ordering I'll double check the dimensions to make sure it fits in my bow roller. I'm in fresh water, so salt is not a problem.

Anyone have experience with the cheaper Chinese made anchors?

Thanks,

Scott
 
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The way I look at it it's a roll of the dice but considering how important your anchor is maybe this is one thing you should just buy what you know is the best money has to offer.Cheap stainless steel if not done correctly can be brittle or soft neither qualities you went to have in a anchor.
 
If I was on the hook overnight, the last thing I would want to be thinking about is whether or not my anchor is a quality anchor and whether it would break in the middle of the night. I'm sure there are reviews out there that state "I have one and it's worked fine for me". But there's too many variables in personal reviews (and too many inconsistencies in manufacturing of knock-off products). The only way I would consider it is if there was independent testing (lab-type testing) done on the anchor to compare it with known-good anchors. Of course, this is all an opinion, but for me... considering how important an anchor can be and how often (as in NOT often) you buy an anchor, I would just buy one that is known to be of good quality.

On the other hand, if all you do is day anchor in secluded spots - then I would consider it. BUT... I would carry the original anchor onboard and make sure to have tools to change it if I got caught somewhere and needed to rely on it for safety. That could save you some money, but create a hassle in that you have to change the anchor while out... possibly a nasty situation if it's rough and your engines quit.
 
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Your post doesn't specify what type of anchor you have, but if it is a Hi-Tensile Strength Danforth, the manufacturer guarantees them for life.

http://www.danforthanchors.com/warranty.html

There are some limits, however. After ±12 years in saltwater, anchoring nearly every day, shabby under-describes the appearance of our anchor. We even have hunks of the galvanizing flaking off. The folks at Tie Down Engineering were very agreeable, but the warranty limits were a problem for me. You pay the freight both ways, plus you must send you anchor in for them to evaluate so you are anchor-less while the warranty process is happening. Given the freight cost for a 45lb anchor 2 ways and being unable to anchor the boat for 2+(?) weeks, I just decided to replace the anchor with an aluminum Fortress anchor.

At any rate, that may be an option you may wish to consider.
 
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Thanks frank. I believe the anchor is the original equipment. Not sure if Searay uses Danforth? It is discolored but otherwise intact. I’ll call them and see what they say.
 
Grew up living by the motto "you get what you pay for"......and it seems to hold true almost every time.
 
I have one. I replaced the standard Danforth with a stainless 35lb claw style. Works really well and is very well constructed. If that thing ever breaks or bends then my boat has been hit by a freighter. Claw style are pretty simple though, with only one welded area.
 
I bought one from some marine parts depot. Not sure if it was a Chinese company or not but this has been the best holding plow anchor I have ever used. I've had it about 8 years now and it still has a great shine and no issues. 27LB was about $250 versus over a thousand for a SS Delta.
 
There are various grades of stainless steel. As some pointed out to me It is Stain Less not Stain Free.
 
Your post doesn't specify what type of anchor you have, but if it is a Hi-Tensile Strength Danforth, the manufacturer guarantees them for life.

http://www.danforthanchors.com/warranty.html

There are some limits, however. After ±12 years in saltwater, anchoring nearly every day, shabby under-describes the appearance of our anchor. We even have hunks of the galvanizing flaking off. The folks at Tie Down Engineering were very agreeable, but the warranty limits were a problem for me. You pay the freight both ways, plus you must send you anchor in for them to evaluate so you are anchor-less while the warranty process is happening. Given the freight cost for a 45lb anchor 2 ways and being unable to anchor the boat for 2+(?) weeks, I just decided to replace the anchor with an aluminum Fortress anchor.

At any rate, that may be an option you may wish to consider.

Frank, I had a trusty 20H on my old (300 Sundancer) boat and loved it. Friend bought a brand new 20H and it was not the same quality as mine.
 
If you are replacing just because of discoloration, I would highly recommend having it blasted and powder coated. I had mine done this spring and anchored quite a bit in rocky bottomed Lake Lanier. It looks great and was only $100. I will share a photo asap.
 
If you are replacing just because of discoloration, I would highly recommend having it blasted and powder coated. I had mine done this spring and anchored quite a bit in rocky bottomed Lake Lanier. It looks great and was only $100. I will share a photo asap.

Discoloration is part of it. I also like the bling look of having a chrome anchor. Look forward to seeing your pics.
 
Those prices are not a steal really. The pre-sale prices are too high. The sale price for the 15kg version I have is US$399. I paid less than that in Canada and we always par more than the US prices up here.
 
Could aways see if there is a hot dipped galvanizer in your area and have it cleaned up and redipped...... or clean it up really good and buy some metal paint in a shiny silver finish and paint it and see how that comes out.
 
Sorry for the delay but here is a picture of the powder coated anchor I had done. My chrome was peeling off and looked like crap. I bought a chrome plow that was awesome for $250, but the shank did not sit correctly. The blasting and powder coating cost $100 and he had tons of different textures/colors.
 

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