Electric trolling motor

[Porthandbuoy]

I have just acquired a Motorguide electric outboard (12Vdc up to 46 lbs thrust). Yes, I know it's not as good as a Torquedo, but it is silent, which is nice.

My question is this. My model is meant for fresh water, not salt. I've looked at the specs for both, and as far as I can determine the only difference is in the down leg. On mine it is an aluminium tube, on the seawater version it's stainless.

Would a zinc shaft anode on the aluminium tube help prevent the aluminium from corroding?

 

[NickRobinson]

Easier to dunk it when using and remove when not and wash in fresh?
The chemists amongst us will be along in due course! ;-)

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Easier to dunk it when using and remove when not and wash in fresh?
The chemists amongst us will be along in due course! ;-)

I did that on the two occasions I've used it.

 

[VicS]

I have just acquired a Motorguide electric outboard (12Vdc up to 46 lbs thrust). Yes, I know it's not as good as a Torquedo, but it is silent, which is nice.

My question is this. My model is meant for fresh water, not salt. I've looked at the specs for both, and as far as I can determine the only difference is in the down leg. On mine it is an aluminium tube, on the seawater version it's stainless.

Would a zinc shaft anode on the aluminium tube help prevent the aluminium from corroding?

Possibly worth fitting although it will only be doing anything effective while in the water. Thorough flushing as suggested will be more important .

You may also find that your freshwater model is screwed together with plated nuts and bolts whereas the salt water model has stainless steel fastenings ..... If that causes any problems the solution is fairly obvious!

 

[Porthandbuoy]

You may also find that your freshwater model is screwed together with plated nuts and bolts whereas the salt water model has stainless steel fastenings ..... If that causes any problems the solution is fairly obvious!

Checked that. Fastenings are all stainless. The only other difference I'm aware of is the colour. The fresh water model is black, the salt water version white. They both claim to be powder coated, but if they're a different material I don't know.

I'll check the diameter of the tube and see if there's a stock anode that will fit. Can't do any harm.

 

[Greenheart]

You may also find that your freshwater model is screwed together with plated nuts and bolts whereas the salt water model has stainless steel fastenings...If that causes any problems the solution is fairly obvious!

If the plated bolts and nuts are holding together an aluminium down-leg, wouldn't it be better to replace them with aluminium fastenings? Or is that what you meant?

 

[MountainGoat]

I wash my salt water Torqeedo in fresh water after using it anyway. I'm sure as long as you give it a good hosing down, it'll be fine, and if it's not it'll quickly become apparent.