Anode questions.

[Yves Langlois]

I have an anode on my propeller shaft, I sail on Lake Champlain so it's fresh water, the anode is oxydated on surface only; my questions are :- Do I need an anode in fresh water ?- When do I change it ?- Will it be really eaten away or just surface oxydated ?My propeller is an Autoprop 3 blades and my shaft is stainless steel.Thank'sYvesS/V OPIUM

 

[Capt Terry C. Griggs]

Anode replacement

Howdy Yves: You probably could get away with taking a file over the surface and roughing it up. However, for the price, and you can install it yourself very easily, it is better to replace it every year and/or when you pull the boat. Probably less than $10.00 and is a little insurance that maybe the one you have on now is not depleting itself as it should be, ie: something else is wearing away instead. RegardsTerry

 

[Steve]

Wire Brush It!

Take a wire brush and knock off the surface tarnish. The anode is just a less-nobel metal, and should be replaced when it is about 50% gone at the very latest. If yours just has surface tarnish and is not noticably deterrated, it is most likely fine. Just make sure that it has a good electrical contact with your shaft.As far as needing one in fresh water, I would keep one on. Salt water is a better conductor, but if the charge is high enough, it will flow through fresh water as well. Why take the chance of being up next to someone with a problem and you paying for it? Steve