72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

[dajohnson53]

21 foot aluminum river boat with V6 outboard jet and small kicker. Normally trailered and used in fresh water. Neither main engine nor kicker have zinc anodes (as far as I can see) The main engine, being a jet doesn't have a anode/trim adjuster. The kicker has no zinc either.<br /><br />I'm going to salt water for about 3-4 days later in the month. If possible, I will be mooring the boat in the local harbor for the entire time when I'm not out trolling. Alternative will be to launch and retreive every day. If moored, both engines can be tilted fully out of the water.<br /><br />Is it critical to have anodes in this situation? If so, should I actually attach them to one or both engines, or can I dangle one off the transom while moored?<br /><br />Thanks for your advice.

 

[bayman]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

Anodes are pretty cheap and attaching them is easy. I know I would like the peace of mind of having them on both engines.

 

[AJ168]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

My little aluminum flatbottom with a 5.5 on it doesn't have anodes. It may spend a week in salt water and I've never had any problems. I just make sure to tilt the engine up when I'm done for the day.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

Pull the motors up when done and focus your energy on something more fun than putting annodes on.You may need to give the bottom a good cleaning after 3 days in salt water though.Charlie

 

[imported_rusty]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

what are annodes ? do my 85 hp need them?

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll probably do something if it's cheap and easy, but more likely follow Crazy Charlie's advice - put my energy into spending quality time organizing and gazing lovingly at my fishing tackle.... and of course buying some new stuff.<br /><br />On this trip, I'll most likely be running the boat in a freshwater stream for a couple of hours the day I leave salt water (side trip on the way home). So cleaning/flushing will be a non issue.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

Originally posted by RustyL:<br /> what are annodes ? do my 85 hp need them?

If your 85 HP has the normal little adjustable tab right above the prop (on the underside of the anti-ventilation plate), it is probably made of zinc and is an anode. Anodes are made of metal (zinc) that will dissolve instead of the aluminum in electrolysis situations. They are called sacrifical anodes, commonly called "zincs". People who moor their boats are more concerned about this than trailer boats. Also, salt water is a more serious condition than fresh, although my understanding is that electrolysis can happen in fresh as well (and that another type of metal is best for freshwater electrolysis - dont' know which type though). Hopefully more expert people will chime in because I operate a trailer boat in fresh water and thus dont' really know any more than that

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

You can purchase 'clip on' anodes, perfect for your upcoming situation.<br /><br />All you need is a shorepower leak in the marina to ruin your holiday. Better safe than sorry.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

One problem with boats that are not fitted with anodes and that run in salt is that the insides of motors/legs are not so prettily painted as the outsides - which means they're not so well protected. Damage often starts where you can't see it.<br /><br />To fit one if running in salt for just a short while? Probably a marginal decision - but in your last post here you've really answered your original question by confirming the protection job that anodes do.<br /><br />Just a small point - the trim fin above the prop is often not made of zinc, and then it does not act as an anode.

 

[stevens]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

Just to confirm Stillfishing's last point. All the trim tabs sold by Mercury seem indeed to be made from aluminum. The only difference to the rest of the outdrive housing would then be that the anode is unpainted...

 

[dingbat]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

All the trim tabs sold by Mercury seem indeed to be made from aluminum.

Not so. Merc also makes tabs of zinc and magnesium. An aluminum tab would last a matter of weeks around here. <br /><br />Mercury part number 98432T 5

 

[Stratocaster]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

All anodes sold by Merc can be purchased in magnesium, zinc or aluminum. The aluminum is an alloy that is less noble than the alloy in the drive. They last much longer in salt water than Mg or Zn, but still provide excellent protection.

 

[stevens]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

Yes, I see you are right. My search at Mercurypartsexpress.com only came up with aluminum trim tabs, but I see there are many Quicksilver and others that are magnesium, zinc or other alloys. Here's the description of a Quicksilver magnesium one here at the iboats mall:<br /><br />

FOR FRESH WATER A passive effective method of corrrosion control. By drawing electrical currents away from drive components these anodes literally sacrifice themselves. Certain styles also help compensate for propeller torque. Sacrificial anodes need to be replaced when depleted or when their surface has oxidized (turn dark gray in color). Magnesium. Fits most Mercury/Mariner outboards 35 hp and above. Fits all MerCruiser except Bravo. Check for adequate propeller clearance prior to operation

The aluminum one says the same, plus this:<br /><br />

Protect 52% more effectively than traditional zinc anodes.

 

[imported_rusty]

Re: 72 hours in salt water - anode needed?

i guess i better check into this a little more. as i run in salt water all the time.