Bruntons auto prop

[sailaboutvic]

I have an Bruntons Auto prop , but we are unable to find a Anode in Tunisia and we about to go back into the water on Thursday ,it a bit too late to have one send out , plus the cost of posting I been told will be as much as the Anode £40 , so it looks like we going to have to launch without a prop Anode, I plain to order one from Bruntons but by the time its send to my UK address then forward onto me it going to be about a month,
Do I need to be that concerned?

 

[Hoolie]

We have an Autoprop, and in discussion with the rep on their stand at a boat show he said the anode wasn't really necessary if there is a shaft anode close by. The prop anode was really just to keep customers happy.

I haven't fitted one for at least eight years without any problem with the prop, though I always make sure the shaft anode is in good shape.

ps I always leave the nylon bolts in place to stop fouling in the extractor threads.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Our is a saildrive

 

[Little Dorrit]

Check out https://www.anodesupplies.com/ call and speak to Doug, he will advise you or, if he can sort it out, he's helped me on a number of occasions.

 

[Hoolie]

I would have thought the same criteria apply so long as your saildrive anode is in good electrical contact with the prop

 

[RichardS]

I have an Bruntons Auto prop , but we are unable to find a Anode in Tunisia and we about to go back into the water on Thursday ,it a bit too late to have one send out , plus the cost of posting I been told will be as much as the Anode £40 , so it looks like we going to have to launch without a prop Anode, I plain to order one from Bruntons but by the time its send to my UK address then forward onto me it going to be about a month,
Do I need to be that concerned?

What was the anode like that you removed, Vic?

Even if it's much reduced, I would rather put the old one back than not use an anode at all. If the old anode was in reasonably good condition, that suggests that it's not doing very much anyway so you might as well put it back.

Richard

 

[Tranona]

I would have thought the same criteria apply so long as your saildrive anode is in good electrical contact with the prop

But it is not the same. The saildrive anode is not electrically connected to the prop which is why it is essential to have the proper anodes fitted - and why they only last a relatively short time. They are the only thing protecting the prop.

 

[sailaboutvic]

What was the anode like that you removed, Vic?

Even if it's much reduced, I would rather put the old one back than not use an anode at all. If the old anode was in reasonably good condition, that suggests that it's not doing very much anyway so you might as well put it back.

Richard

Long story Richard , half way over from Malta to Tunisia the engine started to vibrate. First we tho we caught something After my first dive I found it was all clear but the engine was still vibrating, on the second dive ( not very happy going in a meter swell ) takening a closer look I found there wasn't any Anode but the three screws holding it was still , this time the engine started no problem , so I guess between the first and second dive it must had been hanging off on one screw, unbalances the engine/ saildrive, other wise yes I would had left it on no matter how worn it was.
Oh by the way guys anyone thinking of diving in a meter sea don't unless you have to , a boat bounces up and down over your head is no fun at all,
We had no option wind die before it should had and there wasn't anymore forecaster for another seven hours with quite a bit of traffic about I didn't fancy not being able to get out of the way of incoming traffic .

Have to say I am a bit worried about leaving it without protection for a month especially how we plain to spend three weeks in the Marina , prop only 18 months old and over 2k .
And have you seen the price of these Anode cones ? It really is disgraceful what they charging for them. £ 40 incl vat add the postage on half a ton gone .
Started to think if I getting a bit old for this sailing lark, OK maybe not .

 

[Hoolie]

But it is not the same. The saildrive anode is not electrically connected to the prop which is why it is essential to have the proper anodes fitted - and why they only last a relatively short time. They are the only thing protecting the prop.

Agreed if the prop is isolated from the sail-drive anode. On our boat the prop is in good electrical contact with the prop-shaft and its anode.

 

[vyv_cox]

Vic, Is it possible to buy something similar and drill it for the fastening bolts? Seems to me there are many small circular anodes in the chandleries when I am walking around.

 

[duncan99210]

Vic, do you still have the original Volvo prop? Fit that until you've got a new anode for the Brunson. Then when you're back in the Ionian later this year drop me a private message and I'll get the dive gear out and fit the Brunton for you.

 

[Pasarell]

Hi Vic
I agree with Vyv about getting something else and drilling it to fit. Even a smaller anode such as for a bow thruster would be better than nothing. My Maxprop is on a shaft with a shaft anode as well as the prop one. It goes through the prop anode pretty quickly then starts on the shaft anode if it's not replaced. Upside is they are easy to fit by a diver as above
Peter

 

[sailaboutvic]

Vic, do you still have the original Volvo prop? Fit that until you've got a new anode for the Brunson. Then when you're back in the Ionian later this year drop me a private message and I'll get the dive gear out and fit the Brunton for you.

Thanks for the offer Duncan , but this bloody thing is very heavy and not straight forward to fit , but again thanks .

 

[sailaboutvic]

Vic, Is it possible to buy something similar and drill it for the fastening bolts? Seems to me there are many small circular anodes in the chandleries when I am walking around.

It's got a lip in it and there three part of it is straight , yes a machine shop could easily convert one , it's just getting one to do just that .
It be a lot easier if I still had me old one , hey but that's life .
The good news is Anode supplies do then at half the price of Bruntons , thanks for the link Paella.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Vic, Is it possible to buy something similar and drill it for the fastening bolts? Seems to me there are many small circular anodes in the chandleries when I am walking around.

Vyv as far as I am concern your the Man when it comes to the hard stuff ,
Do you think a month in the Marina could cause me much of a problem and if so what about if I dangle my old saildrive Anode off a wire and hang it on to the Prop while we in the Marina ?

 

[duncan99210]

Thanks for the offer Duncan , but this bloody thing is very heavy and not straight forward to fit , but again thanks .

Yes, I know. I have one myself and have removed and refitted it using diving gear.... Wouldn't have offered if I couldn't do the job. Offer stand strong if you're in the right place at the right time!

 

[vyv_cox]

Vyv as far as I am concern your the Man when it comes to the hard stuff ,
Do you think a month in the Marina could cause me much of a problem and if so what about if I dangle my old saildrive Anode off a wire and hang it on to the Prop while we in the Marina ?

Yes, an external anode would be a good solution. Make sure it can 'see' the prop. I believe the blades to be bronze but there is a galvanic couple with the stainless pins and bearings, etc. A month should be OK but they are an expensive item to risk.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Yes, an external anode would be a good solution. Make sure it can 'see' the prop. I believe the blades to be bronze but there is a galvanic couple with the stainless pins and bearings, etc. A month should be OK but they are an expensive item to risk.

Thanks Vyv I will dive under and wipe a wire around. The prop and an old Anode so themAnode is sitting on the prop .
Musting for get it before we start the engine . Put a note on the key so I remember .

 

[sailaboutvic]

Yes, I know. I have one myself and have removed and refitted it using diving gear.... Wouldn't have offered if I couldn't do the job. Offer stand strong if you're in the right place at the right time!

Again thanks Duncan once we leave Tunisa we head back to Malta where I plain to have the Anode sent .

By the way I will report on Tunisa on noonsite but if anyone thinking of coming here for a while or just for a haul out ,
it's a good option .

 

[Daydream believer]

By the way I will report on Tunisa on noonsite but if anyone thinking of coming here for a while or just for a haul out ,
it's a good option .

It is worth getting half a dozen whilst you are at it to reduce postage & save the hassle next time. Mine last half a season
re the question of being isolated from the saildrive , i have a rope cutter which links them . The sail drive anode lasts a season- I do not use shore power unless cruising.