OVAL ANODE 1.8Kg.

Function and technical context

Sacrificial anodes are the fundamental pillar of cathodic protection in boats: they act as a negative electrode in the galvanic pair that is formed when different metals are submerged in salt or brackish water, attracting all electrolytic corrosion and thus preserving the hull, propeller, shaft and propulsion accessories. This oval zinc anode is installed directly on the hull or structural surfaces of the boat, creating a controlled sacrifice zone that progressively consumes the zinc instead of degrading the base metals of the boat. Without properly sized cathodic protection, galvanic corrosion can puncture the hull, deteriorate the rudder or compromise the integrity of the tailshaft in a matter of months, especially in mooring areas with high electrical conductivity or ports with stray currents.

When to replace this part?

The clearest sign that the hull anode needs to be replaced is when it has lost between 50% and 60% of its mass: from that point on it stops offering effective protection and corrosion begins to attack the noble metals of the boat. It is recommended to inspect the anodes at least once a season – usually during the annual stranding – and replace them preventively whenever they show severe wear, very irregular surfaces or cracks, without waiting for them to disappear completely. Renewing the anode at each stranding is the most economical preventive measure to avoid structural damage to the hull and appendages that can lead to high-cost repairs or even the immobilization of the boat.