ZINC BAR 45x500

Function and technical context

Zinc bars act as sacrificial anodes on boats, protecting them from galvanic corrosion that occurs when dissimilar metals—such as the aluminum in the hull or propeller—are submerged in salt or brackish water. This component is installed directly on the hull, the propeller shaft or the rudder fins to become the metal that preferentially oxidizes, sacrificing itself and preserving the structural and mechanical parts of the boat. Without effective cathodic protection, galvanic corrosion can irreversibly deteriorate submerged metal components within a few weeks, with particularly serious consequences in areas of high salinity or in ports with scattered electrical currents.

When to replace this part?

The main indicator that the zinc anode needs to be replaced is the visible loss of mass: when the anode has consumed between 50% and 75% of its initial volume, it loses protective effectiveness and must be replaced before it disappears completely. The inspection of the zinc anodes should be carried out, at a minimum, at the beginning and end of each nautical season, and always before leaving the boat inactive for prolonged periods. Preventively replacing the zinc bar avoids being left unprotected against galvanic corrosion and saves costly repairs on propellers, shafts and aluminum structures.