Anyone have a Selva Saildrive?

[Habebty]

Just wondering where you get your saildrive ring anode from. Getting a bit fed up paying £75 from Betamarine.
A Volvo one about the same size is £22

I have tried all the usual suspects online to no avail.

If Enough people show an interest, it might be worth getting one of the small casting firms to cast a batch.

 

[Joker]

I'll go with you there (and order a half dozen!). I had even thought of getting a Volvo type ring anode and drilling holes in the right places.

 

[Suffolk Explorer]

Yes please, I'm very interested.

 

[Seajet]

I don't know the size & shape of the anode in question, but surely zinc anodes are easy to cut, file & drill ?

I use a disc anode cut in half ( & faired in with filler ) on my steel lift keel, at a place where the lifting isn't affected, so one anode last 2 years.

 

[Habebty]

I'll look into it then!

(Seajet - saildrive anodes have a very snug fit between the saildrive leg and the prop hub and limited fixing potential)

 

[Seajet]

That sounds similar to the anode on the Volvo saildrive my other boat had then; I suppose a home made one could be cobbled up, but it would be necessary to keep it balanced.

At those prices ( and I thought Volvo were silly, especially when the prop boss cracked ! ) it must be worth forming a rebel co-op and casting your own...

 

[Habebty]

Having spoken to some anode suppliers, it would seem not to be an economic prospect to arrange a small batch of castings.
Saildrive type anodes are usually in expensively tooled dies due to the relatively complex shape, rather than simple sand castings or simple shaped moulds.

If anyone knows anyone who could produce a 2 piece mould cheaply for casting zinc, then I would cast the things myself.

Looks like we are going to have to pay the price of having a less common saildrive a little longer.

 

[colhel]

I've searched the web for anode you need, but can't find it. If someone can point me in the direction of what you need I'll see if I can adapt my old Volvo one to suit. (I'm a machinist)

 

[Tranona]

I've searched the web for anode you need, but can't find it. If someone can point me in the direction of what you need I'll see if I can adapt my old Volvo one to suit. (I'm a machinist)

Pretty sure you will find the casting is a different shape - probably deliberately so that Selva can at least make some dosh out of selling spare anodes as the unit itself was not a sales success.

 

[colhel]

I do some machining for a propeller company, the guy I do it for casts the anodes himself. I've never looked closely how he does it, but I'm sure I could make a suitable casting for whatever shape. Weather they would come out cheaper than £75, I wouldn't like to say until I see one

 

[lydiamight]

These people are worth a try---they keep just about everything you can imagine on the anode front and are also a manufacturer. http://zincsmart.com/
John Latham, the owner, is hugely experienced and it's a joy to be shown round the workshop and warehouse in Canterbury.
Anodes from the size of a small nut to monster ones for sub-sea oil pipelines. John very kindly machined a propnut anode for me while i waited.
No connection other than a very satisifed customer.

 

[Habebty]

These people are worth a try---they keep just about everything you can imagine on the anode front and are also a manufacturer. http://zincsmart.com/
John Latham, the owner, is hugely experienced and it's a joy to be shown round the workshop and warehouse in Canterbury.
Anodes from the size of a small nut to monster ones for sub-sea oil pipelines. John very kindly machined a propnut anode for me while i waited.
No connection other than a very satisifed customer.

Yes, I have spoken to them, very helpful people. Unfortunately the issue is to get a casting not a machined item, and this when the costs stack up in order to produce a tooled 2/3 piece mould. Some saildrive ring anodes Do not lend themselves to the jellymould type of cast due to the indents on both faces. These indents form a very close fit with the hub of the folding prop. It might be possible to machine a Volvo anode to fit but this would probably result in too much material being removed. The bolt holes are in a different position as well.
A big thankyou to colhel for the offer though

Pete