ANODE SHAFT 40 MM

Function and technical context

Shaft anodes are cathodic protection elements designed to mount directly on the boat's tailshaft, acting as a sacrificial metal that attracts electrolytic and galvanic corrosion before it affects more expensive structural and transmission components. The propulsion shaft, being permanently submerged in salt or mixed water and in contact with different metals (propeller, horn, rudder, hull), is especially vulnerable to accelerated galvanic corrosion. The CMX-40 anode, with an inner diameter of 40 mm, effectively protects the shaft and adjacent metal elements by degrading in a controlled manner instead of allowing corrosion to attack the noble components of the transmission line.

When to replace this part?

The clearest symptom that the shaft anode has reached the limit of its useful life is a visible reduction in its mass of more than 50%, at which point it no longer offers sufficient protection; It should also be checked if signs of corrosion or pitting appear on the shaft itself or on the propeller, as it indicates that the anode has been exhausted prematurely. It is recommended to inspect the shaft anode at each beaching and, at a minimum, replace it once a season or sooner if material loss is notable. Renewing the anode preventively at the beginning of each nautical season is the most economical measure to avoid damage to the shaft, horn or propeller, repairs that can be considerably more expensive.