ANODO LAGRIMA PERNO 1.8KG (ZN)

Function and technical context

The bolt-on teardrop anode is a cathodic protection element designed to preserve the vessel's submerged metal surfaces against galvanic corrosion, one of the most aggressive degradation processes in marine environments. Made of high-purity zinc, this type of anode acts as a sacrificial metal: being more electronegative than the aluminum or steel of propellers, shafts, keels and transmission chambers, it attracts the electrochemical oxidation process towards itself, protecting them. Its teardrop geometry and bolt fixing guarantee safe installation and direct and stable electrical contact with the structure it protects. Without a healthy anode, galvanic corrosion can silently destroy high-cost components such as the tailshaft, propeller, or outboard or inboard motor housing, especially in marines with stray electrical current.

When to replace this part?

The unmistakable sign that the anode needs to be replaced is a visible reduction in its mass: when it has lost between 50% and 75% of its volume, it has reached the limit of its useful life and no longer offers sufficient protection. As a general preventive maintenance guideline, it is recommended to inspect the zinc anodes at least once a season—or every time the boat leaves the water—and always replace them before the start of each boating season if they show significant wear. Anticipating complete exhaustion of the anode avoids costly and irreversible damage to the drive train or engine casing, breakdowns that on the high seas can spell the end of the voyage.