Should I have anodes on my shafts?

[Nick_H]

'cos I haven't, and never have had, and the surveyor didn't say I should, but everyone else seems to?

 

[qetoo]

My boat is moored in salt water. I have an electrical brush riding on the shaft, inside the hull. It is electrically connected to the large zinc plate attached to the transom under water. I have read that with such a connection it is not necessary to have the collar type zincs on the prop shaft.

However, I have had the experience of loosing a propeller to electrolysis. Very expensive. So I am still keeping the shaft zincs attached. I'm probably overdoing it, but in the last five years I have had no electrolysis problems.

 

[mjf]

No I have not either.

But they are bonded internally with carbon bushes.

 

[Nick_H]

Thanks. It sounds like I have the same set up as you both, as I do have big anodes attached to the hull, so these must be electrically linked to the shafts.

 

[hlb]

I went a year with none and needed new shafts and props.

 

[rickp]

I never had shaft annodes on my F43. It had some braid that electricaly joined the shaft from the gearbox to the shaft out of the boat (ie. it looped around the spacer). On the Elling, we have the carbon brush setup to do the same job:

Rick

 

[andy_wilson]

I can't think of a more reliable way to protect shafts and propellors than having an anode clamped to the shaft.

 

[Medskipper]

Yep, I always put them on my shafts, and they have always been eaten away within the year! Little or nothing left by the time the boat is lifted the following spring! I don't think it will do any harm even if you feel you have the correct protection, shaft anodes don't cost a fortune and are easy to install. Just think of the cost of a prop if it needs replacing! The anode should be installed quite close to the A bracket, only leave 2-3" gap.

Barry

 

[FullCircle]

Cant hurt, can it?

Zincsmart cheap(er) anodes!