Another Zinc Anode Question

[rgranger]

No I'm not going to bolt a bag of pennies to my boat...

But that thread did get me thinking. I have an air cooled Briggs & Straton 5HP OB. I love it. It was cheap, it is easy to maintain etc. But it is not rated for salt water. And I have noticed some oxidation on the motor parts from a sail I took last year in the Albemarle (brackish). I used a wire brush and did some touch up ...

But would it be smart of me to bolt a zinc to the motor for future salty trips? I'm planning a trip to Chincoteague Island this summer and will definitely get salt on my OB.

I'm thinking it can't hurt so why not?

Is there any chance that I could do harm by trying this?

 

[Roger Long]

But would it be smart of me to bolt a zinc to the motor for future salty trips?

Only if you plan to fully immerse it in the salt water.

Is there any chance that I could do harm by trying this?

Only to your reputation.

 

[JVB]

Actually it can hurt to overdo the application of zinc sacrificial anodes. That's one thing I learned as a result of posting the question about using a bag of pennies. I will still experiment with some pennies enclosed in galvanized hardware cloth
(http://www.twpinc.com/twpinc/control/main )

Someone posted a link to the website which contains this page:
http://www.boatzincs.com/corrosion-quiz.html

Spend some time going thru the website. It's very educational. I ordered a split oval shaped rudder anode
R-2 Rudder Zinc Anode - R-2 $5.17 2-13/16" Dia.

to use to protect my 10 hp outboard motor, the stainless steel
motor mount, and the rudder pintles. I am about to take my boat into
salt water for a couple of months. I expect that the motor will
be fully immersed .... in salt spray.

 

[rgranger]

Thanks JVB

r