ANODE SHAFT 60 mm.

Function and technical context

The shaft anode is a cathodic protection element that is installed directly on the tail shaft of the vessel, acting as a sacrificial metal to protect submerged metal parts from galvanic corrosion. It works in the propulsion system, specifically in the shaft line that transmits movement from the gearbox to the propeller, an area continuously subjected to the electrochemical action of salt or fresh water. Its presence is critical because, by degrading in a controlled manner, it preserves the integrity of the shaft, the horn, the seals and the propeller itself, preventing these higher-cost components from suffering pitting, erosion or structural deterioration. This anode is designed for 60 mm diameter shafts and is identified with the reference CMC-60.

When to replace this part?

The most obvious sign that the shaft anode has reached its useful life is the reduction in its mass by more than 50%, at which point it no longer offers sufficient cathodic protection; It is also indicative to find pitting or discoloration on the shaft itself or on the propeller, which suggests that the protection has failed before the inspection. It is recommended that the anode be inspected at least once a season and replaced preventively at the beginning of each boating season or after annual stranding, regardless of its apparent condition if it has been submerged for many months. Replacing it regularly is the most economical measure to avoid deterioration of the propulsion shaft, a component whose repair or replacement involves a much higher cost.