Hanging anode

[fjweaver]

My shaft anode needs replacing but I won’t be able to replace it for a while so want to do an interim job before I can get the boat lifted.

Was thinking of a hanging overboard anode but have not seen how this is done.

What sort of anode should I get, what wire & how to connect to the shaft & anode, do you just wrap it round the shaft?

thanks
Frank

 

[StevenJMorgan]

You can get a ready made one with a crocodile clip to clip to the shaft and a long wire - you then hang off stern as close to stern gear as poss. I think MG Duff may do them - shaped like a fish.

Alternatively you could make your own out of old or standard anodes but I don't know what type of wire or how to attach it to the zinc - sure someone here will tell you.

 

[Billjratt]

an old partially depleted anode from the yard attached to any decent sized cable AND supported by a piece of light cord will do. Clean up the anode, wrap the bare wire round a bolt, and connect the two. The other end of the wire goes to the shaft in your case, and the string takes the weight of the anode in the water. Lift it occasionally to check the joint, but I never had to do anything to mine - left for months at a time when I returned to UK. Assume it's just to last the rest of the season in your case. Obviously you should hang it as near to the prop as you can estimate.

 

[fjweaver]

Thanks Bill - what sort of wire do you use?

 

[achwilan]

you may simply use the kind of anode sold for alu boats: it is probably more reliable and lasts forever (far heavier than shaft anodes). Take care of the electrical quality of the line connecting the shaft (ring, no crocodile) to the eye terminating the stainless steel (no galvanized one!) cable of the anode. Anyway it is far cheaper than the prop... I have been using that for years, beside shaft anode, due to ... let's say electrically exuberant neighbours...

 

[Billjratt]

Hi, I just used a piece of copper earthing wire that was in stock, probably 7 strand 1.5 mil or something like that. I made a couple, one had the wire directly bolted to the anode, ("doughnut" shaped) the other had the anode bolted to a bit of scrap stainless which had the wire attached. I used the first one as it was easier to store when using the boat, and gave the other away. you need a strong plastic bag for storage use 'cos it'll probably stink when you bring it onboard! There is a custom through-deck fitting available, but I just routed the wire through a cockpit locker and slung it in there when using the boat. If you want to be technical, get an old piece of rigging or lifeline wire and cast an anode onto the splayed end using melted scrap remains, but do it outdoors and upwind - the fumes are not condusive to longevity.