Anode change by diver?

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I have a friend in Sardinia who needs an anode change without lift out. I won't bore you with the reasons why it needs to be done by diver. My question is whether changing the fiddly anodes such as the cone anode on the prop and the ring anode on the bow prop can practically be done by a diver? It's a fiddly job to do ashore in the boatyard, I would think it very difficult underwater? Does anyone have any experience of doing this?

TIA


rob
 
I don't see why it should not be possible - the diver will not be working deep and the water should be reasonably warm, so there should be no need for a cumbersome suit or gloves - the hardest part would seem to be working out how to carry tools and parts.
 
I've done prop changes and anode changes by diving. For anythingwork on the prop, I put all the tool I might need into a bucket and tie the bucket so that it hangs underneath the prop: any tools or bits dropped fall into the bucket rather than descending into the murk. Also worth rehearsing in your mind exactly what you're going to do before starting, so you don't forget the sequence you might need to follow.
You can use the same trick with the bucket for a bow thruster by passing a rope through the tunnel. Be a bit more of a challenge doing that as access is more restricted than the prop but perfectly doable. Buoyancy control is key to all of this as much of the work needs two hands and you therefore need to be floating at just the right depth without needing to hold on to the boat.
 
Out of interest, how do you put the prop shaft anode on under water? The canonical method ashore which I was taught and always use is a couple of mallets whacked on either side to bring the two halves together. Not so simple for a diver what with water resistance an' all. Do you just put it on loosely and crank up the bolts?
 
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Robih said:
I have a friend in Sardinia who needs an anode change without lift out. I won't bore you with the reasons why it needs to be done by diver. My question is whether changing the fiddly anodes such as the cone anode on the prop and the ring anode on the bow prop can practically be done by a diver? It's a fiddly job to do ashore in the boatyard, I would think it very difficult underwater? Does anyone have any experience of doing this?

TIA


rob
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I live in the Med, I am not a diver but I have changed many times the cone anode on the prop in the water. Not in one go of course, but let's say, first to loosen up the screw holding it, then to remove it, then to place the new one etc, etc. It's not a difficult job to do.

PS: Now I remember I once borrowed a friend's diving equipment to clean the hull of my boat as well as to change his boat cone anode on the prop. Much, much easier to do!
 
I changed a Stripper rope cutter in the water alongside a berth in Corsica, using mask and snorkel. Replaced the plastic bearings, which needs nearly all of it to be taken off, small bolts (4 mm?). The only thing I dropped was a spanner, picked up with a magnet.
 
My father in law tells an excellent story of limping into Weymouth with a rope round the prop, on a Dufour 2800, years ago. Rather than pay a fortune for a lift, he bought a load of beer, put it on the foredeck, and shouted free beer. The resultant 8 or so blokes stood on the foredeck drinking beer was enough to lift the prop clear of the water, and he was able to get the rope off, working from the dinghy. Would this work for your mate to fit an anode?
 
Kwik Decision said:
My father in law tells an excellent story of limping into Weymouth with a rope round the prop, on a Dufour 2800, years ago. Rather than pay a fortune for a lift, he bought a load of beer, put it on the foredeck, and shouted free beer. The resultant 8 or so blokes stood on the foredeck drinking beer was enough to lift the prop clear of the water, and he was able to get the rope off, working from the dinghy. Would this work for your mate to fit an anode?
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I guess the anchor might achieve the same - on the right bottom?
 
Kwik Decision said:
My father in law tells an excellent story of limping into Weymouth with a rope round the prop, on a Dufour 2800, years ago. Rather than pay a fortune for a lift, he bought a load of beer, put it on the foredeck, and shouted free beer. The resultant 8 or so blokes stood on the foredeck drinking beer was enough to lift the prop clear of the water, and he was able to get the rope off, working from the dinghy. Would this work for your mate to fit an anode?
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A friend of mine use to be a 1st engineer on gas tankers running from the Middle East to the Thames Estuary and used to tell tales of being able to change the ship's propeller at sea with a bit of judicial ballasting. In fact they had a spare one sited on the foredeck.
 
Can I just make the point of saying, when there's a diver in the water make sure and I mean disconnect the battery/ switching and lock them off, before going anywhere near the prop or bowthruster. Do your best to isolate the engine drive aswell as the shaft but that shouldn't be much problem I'm used to much bigger ship & props freewheeling. I have seen the results of it going horribly wrong. Just be careful :)
If your directly next to a boat I'de also go as far as asking the next boat across to not do anything whilst your down
Jonjoe
 
Robih said:
Thanks all, it looks like its a do-able job.

rob
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It is. I've changed anodes underwater many times. However I recommend waiting till the water in the UK is warmer, usually June till Oct, otherwise your hands will soon become numb, and wearing gloves is not an option. I'd also choose a shallow, sandy spot so that if you do drop anything you will have a good chance of recovering it. And almost certainly something will fall to the seabed unless you are especially careful and/or lucky!
 
Think carefully about what you are wearing and carry a good knife - you do not want to risk getting clothes or tool belts caught on anything underwater and you want to be able to free yourself if something does happen!
 
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