hunter 306 anode require for keel

Oct 14, 2017
101
HUnter 306 Aruba
I bought a Hunter 306 (built 2003) 6 years ago with 2 anodes on the keel which we later brought down to one. I've been told by others that hunters don't come standard with anodes on the keel, only on the propeller shaft.
Question is
  • did they come from the factory with an anode on the keel and if so how many?
  • can placing an anode (or two) affect the keel (lead) and anti-fowling?
Location is Aruba. Hope someone can shed some light on the matter, the hunter 306 manual does not mention anything.

Saludos,

Capt. Brinky
 
Oct 14, 2017
101
HUnter 306 Aruba
Spoke to a rep @ sailboatowners who told me that they are lead. I'm waiting for a reply from Hunter Marlow who still have old Hunter documents. Nothing in the hunter 306 manual tells me that it's iron on lead. Placing a screw driver on the hull, which is bear to the bone now, shows that it's a soft metal.
 
Oct 14, 2017
101
HUnter 306 Aruba
on the same note I'm thinking of placing a newmar 12C ground shoe to the grounding system as extra protection. any thoughts on doing so?
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,469
-na -NA Anywhere USA
@Brinky63
As a former and retired dealer, I introduced that boat for Hunter and probably sold more than all other dealers of that model. That said, you keel is made of lead, not cast iron and that is a fact. Further the keel never came with zincs on it and as previously mentioned were found on the shaft installed by either the dealer or owner. I have seen a zinc placed on the rudder a time or two but not sure if this is wise. I hope that answers your questions above.
 
  • Like
Likes: Brinky63
Oct 14, 2017
101
HUnter 306 Aruba
Dave,

Thanks for the info. Based on all information gathered I will not be placing an anode on the keel, will have one on the shaft and place a dyna-plate on the hull for extra grounding.
Had a lot of oxidation issues with the keel over the past years (picture shows what it looked like when we hauled her out last month) which were thought to be from possible ground leaks. Looking at the info found it might just have been caused by the zinc placed there.

We also checked the ground leak/stray current on the boat and found to have 3 volts with the switch open and a resistance of 44,540 ohms and 0.15 volts with the switch closed......so negligible current.

We've since soda-blasted the entire hull, we faired the keel with epoxy and will apply at least 5 coats of interlux 200e to create a strong barier before applying seahawk's Islands 44 anti-fowling.

Thanks again for the info.
 

Attachments