ANODE SHAFT 100 mm.

Function and technical context

The shaft anode is a cathodic protection component that mounts directly onto the vessel's propulsion shaft, acting as a sacrificial metal to divert electrolytic corrosion to itself that would otherwise attack the shaft, propeller and other submerged metal parts of the drive train. It works within the hull and shaftline anti-corrosion protection system, being especially critical in salt or brackish water environments where galvanic corrosion is significantly accelerated. This 100 mm anode (reference CMC-100) is designed to fit the corresponding shaft diameter, guaranteeing effective electrical contact and uniform distribution of the cathodic sacrifice. Without adequate protection, the stainless steel or bronze shaft can suffer pitting corrosion, loss of section and, in severe cases, breakage while sailing.

When to replace this part?

The clearest sign that the shaft anode has reached its useful life is a reduction in mass by more than 50%, at which point it loses effective protective capacity and must be replaced immediately. As a general preventive maintenance rule, it is recommended to inspect the shaft anodes at least once a season—ideally at the annual beaching—and replace them whenever they show significant wear, regardless of time in service. Preventively changing the anode at each grounding is the most economical measure to avoid costly shaft or propeller replacement due to galvanic corrosion damage.