How is my anode?

[CrossedThreads]

Good Evening All,

I am hoping the collective wisdom of the forum can share some thoughts on my anode.

It’s on a Volvo Sail Drive and has been in the water for 14 months.

I have micron 350 antifouling which is fairing well so I don’t want to lift the boat currently.

The boat is connected to shore power in a marina with dehumidifier running over the winter as we continue to use the boat.

What are your thoughts as to it’s condition and likely lifespan? From my untrained eye it looks like it’s still go meat on it (but maybe I am just being optimistic ?)

Thank you all in advance as always ?

 

[NormanS]

Difficult to tell from the photo, but if it hasn't lost 50% of its volume in 14 months, it probably won't lose at a faster rate over the next 14 months.

 

[VicS]

Good Evening All,
I am hoping the collective wisdom of the forum can share some thoughts on my anode.
It’s on a Volvo Sail Drive and has been in the water for 14 months.
I have micron 350 antifouling which is fairing well so I don’t want to lift the boat currently.
The boat is connected to shore power in a marina with dehumidifier running over the winter as we continue to use the boat.
What are your thoughts as to it’s condition and likely lifespan? From my untrained eye it looks like it’s still go meat on it (but maybe I am just being optimistic ?)
Thank you all in advance as always ?

Replace sail drive anodes ( prop or drive leg anodes) if more than 50% has been lost

Drive leg anodes usually last much longer than prop anodes

 

[eilerts]

A bit hard to see how much of the anode in the picture is metal or just crust, but to me it looks still fine. Is this the old version of the drive with just one anode protection both the propeller and the leg, or newer one with separate anode on the propeller? That make a big difference in the consumption of the ring anode.
The salinity of water in the marina is an other factor that influences the anode consumption. Less salt is less corrosion.

 

[garymalmgren]

As with all advice, your boat , your choice.
However this is what they do in the yard I use here in Japan.

Tap it with a hammer.
That will tell you if it has honeycombed.
If it stays in one piece it should be ok.

gary

 

[Tranona]

A bit hard to see how much of the anode in the picture is metal or just crust, but to me it looks still fine. Is this the old version of the drive with just one anode protection both the propeller and the leg, or newer one with separate anode on the propeller? That make a big difference in the consumption of the ring anode.
The salinity of water in the marina is an other factor that influences the anode consumption. Less salt is less corrosion.

The anode on the leg does not do anything for the propeller because the latter is electrically isolated from the leg. Propellers with their own anodes have them because they are made of mixed metals, usually bronze hubs and blades and stainless pivot pins and gears.

 

[eilerts]

The anode on the leg does not do anything for the propeller because the latter is electrically isolated from the leg. Propellers with their own anodes have them because they are made of mixed metals, usually bronze hubs and blades and stainless pivot pins and gears.

The case is not that simple. On my 1982 model Maxi, I had the first version of sail drive (A), and the propeller had no anode. It was protected by the ring anode on the leg, which was pretty much eaten up after one year. Now, I have newer saildrive, and a propeller with three curved anode on the hub, and the ring anode is almost untouched.

Since the OP is concerned about the ring anode (in the picture), and did not mention other anodes, it could be that the boat has an early version, too. The seemingly low level of anode consumption after 14 months, may suggest that this anode does just protects the leg.

 

[Tranona]

The case is not that simple. On my 1982 model Maxi, I had the first version of sail drive (A), and the propeller had no anode. It was protected by the ring anode on the leg, which was pretty much eaten up after one year. Now, I have newer saildrive, and a propeller with three curved anode on the hub, and the ring anode is almost untouched.

Since the OP is concerned about the ring anode (in the picture), and did not mention other anodes, it could be that the boat has an early version, too. The seemingly low level of anode consumption after 14 months, may suggest that this anode does just protects the leg.

It is that simple. On a Volvo saildrive the propeller is isolated electrically from the drive. The standard aluminium propeller does not have, nor need an anode. Folding and feathering propellers may or may not have anodes - my Flexofold 2 blade did not. However most do for the reasons explained in post#6. Your ring anode only protects the drive not the propeller and the short life of yours was nothing to do with the lack of anode on the propeller.