Anodes on Ungalvanized Mac Trailers.

[Flyingscozzies1]

Hi all.I have a 1992 MacGregor 26s, with the original, painted, steel trailer.Until now, the trailer has launched the boat into a freshwater lake, but now most of my sailing is done on the coast in salt water.The trailer is begining to show the signs of rust, specially on the mudguards.I was wondering if fixing zinc anodes to the trailer would help to protect the trailer from rusting? What other methods of treatment do others use to prevent their trailers rusting in a salt water environment?Thankyou in anticipation,IainHydrotherapyMacgregor 26s

 

[Steve Paul]

Thorough washdown

Iain,Since you're pulling the trailer out of the water anodes won't help. The corrosion is localized where ever salt deposits are left near bare metal. A thorough washing with fresh water will help, so will maintaining your paint and waxing the trailer.Unfortunately galvanizing inside and out is the only true way to slow this process down and pretty expensive at that. Wire brush, prime, paint and wax are all you can do in cheap mode. Do that until it gets really bad and then buy a new or used galvanized trailer.Good luck on this,Steve

 

[mark15095]

wash and paint

Yea, I do the same. Wash it each time it hits the water and at the beginning of the summer I put a new coat of rust resistant paint on it. It only takes three cans and cheap enough. good luck,mark