Got it. Of course with a not too frequently used anchor or in fresh water, the electrolytic corrosion of the thimble on the chain would not be an issue. I sure agree that the plastic thimbles are worse than nothing. And I'm a big fan of the shackle (back) splice on a shackle or the chain itself. The former is easier for those who don't do lots of splicing as you can make the crown knot in the normal way but loosely, work the shackle bow in place, and then pull things right. Forming the crown knot around a closed chain takes a bit more concentration.
The shackle-back splice is far less subject to chafe than the line on an eye that's dragged over the bottom, it stows more neatly, and is far less likely to hang up when running the anchor.
G'luck
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