The best anodes?

[Cobalt226]

I need to change the anodes on my 1999 Cobalt 226 which has a Bravo I drive. I have read many different opinions on which is best for my boat that is kept in a slip in fresh water. I just ordered Magnesium anodes but wondering if I should have purchased aluminum? Anyone know which is best, Aluminum or Magnesium? Like I mentioned, my boat sits in freshwater full time.

 

[thumpar]

Magnesium is what you want from purely fresh water. You probably have a Mercathode too.

 

[alldodge]

I'll suggest Aluminum

 

[thumpar]

That chart is from a company that sells their "special" aluminium alloy so keep that in mind.

 

[alldodge]

:facepalm: it was my opinion Thumpar yours is different that's all. If you look at the chart it equally supports Alum and Mag with pure fresh water.

http://www.performancemetals.com/anodes/AnodeFAQs.shtml
http://www.boatingmag.com/how-to/choosing-right-sacrificial-anode

Typical iboat'er, just keep saying it louder

 

[thumpar]

And I can find others that show different. The one thing is Magnesium is not going to be a problem to use in the OP's situation.

 

[s.hadley81]

I went through this last year with my alpha one and with using the aluminum anodes I wound up with very slight pitting on my drive. I switched to mag anodes last year and my drive looked perfect and my anodes were about halfway gone. I slip my boat in freshwater from April to October and the mag anodes performed the best for me.

 

[s.hadley81]

Also the water I'm in I would definitely say it's polluted after my brother who works for the sewer authority told me what townships dump into it.

 

[thumpar]

I would hope the sewage goes through treatment. There is a plant upriver from the lake I use but everything is treated before it is dumped.