Anchor Rust Problem

[Gervie]

While getting the boat ready to launch, I noticed that the galvanized anchor has rust on some of the welds. I tried Flitz and Miracle Cloth to no avail. What ideas do you have for getting the anchor looking good again?

 

[Hampton]

I drag it through the sand a couple of times a month for a few months straight, and I don't notice any rust at all.

 

[Gervie]

Is this one of those times when you should "use it and lose it" :grin:

 

[xravenx]

I scuff up the rust areas, tape the shackle and line off with 3M blue tape and paint it with Rustoleum galvinized spray paint. Looks great and pretty much lasts the entire season.

John

 

[AndersonAcres]

Painting is a good way to go. Rinsing in vinegar will etch the galvanizing a bit and provide a good 'bite' for the paint.

In some areas, painting the anchor white or some other bright color is common. It increases the anchor's visibility when depolyed. In clear water it's more easily visible from the boat. For those times it's necessary to dive in to check on the anchor, it's also easier to find.

 

[RT 240SD]

What is this "clear water" of which you speak?

 

[AndersonAcres]

Some photographic examples of clear water can be found at the Irish Flood victims post. The first photo is not clear water. That's more like what I boat in.

 

[SeaBird]

After removing the surface rust you might want to try spraying galvanizing paint by Krylon available from most HW stores and home centers.

 

[Gervie]

I didn't realize there was galvanized paint. I will get some and try it. I also like using vinegar to etch the metal. Thanks for the tips. :smt038

 

[Nehalennia II]

What is this "clear water" of which you speak?

Some photographic examples of clear water can be found at the Irish Flood victims post. The first photo is not clear water. That's more like what I boat in.

Uh yeah, and we will often times anchor in 60-100 feet of water. Even though our water is relatively clear, after 20+ feet you can't see the bottom.

 

[AndersonAcres]

Thanks to the zebra mussels (that have no known benefit) the water in the great lakes is very clear now. Off Mackinac Island at noon on a sunny day, we could see the bottom 40' down. Yes, that was the bottom of the lake.

 

[Petep]

I still don't understand why SR uses those ugly galvanized anchors- on a boat like yours, UPGRADE to the shiny stainless ones. The Delta Stainless looks great on our bow roller, I have also bought the imported ones that are cheaper for past boats but they do tend to scratch more. Rust on your bow! I don't think so....

 

[chuck1]

What would a stainless one cost? Or is that one of the times if you have to ask you can't afford it :grin:

 

[Petep]

Lewmar - Stainless Steel Delta Anchor 44 lb $1,185.6

Smaller ones cost even less...Talk about looking good-no rust on that one.

 

[chuck1]

Ouch, I guess I was right about the asking part :wink: , but everything is relative I guess a 1K anchor does not sound that bad on a xxxK boat

 

[Asureyez]

Rust Remover on Anchors & Chain

I get rust on the fluke edges, welds and on some chain links that the galvanized metal has been cut away by coral. I treat these with "Ospho" a buffered phosphoric acid rust remover. If its evaporating too fast, I mix it with some dish soap to make snotty liquid and brush it in to the rust and cracks etc., Then flush with water the next day and let dry well.

Then using a foam brush I paint the spots with "Polycon" (petit I think) underwater primer made for running grear which is a grey waterproof primer that blends acceptably with the basic zinc color.

Now I'm not all that inspired to go for a stainless anchor because stainless still rusts in salt water and rust removal is still required using the same Ospho aprroach.

BTW, this is also how we clean the stainless rails but use a white 3M pad. Note: Ospho wil strip wax and bleach teak so go slow and mask or cover decks as you go. After cleaning the rust from stainless we wax with what ever we have around.