A boat or vessel that's sailing in fresh water or sea water is inevitably exposed to the hazards of corrosion. Sea water, especially, is considered to be highly corrosive and hence boat owners are advised to make use of marine zinc anodes to keep their boats and vessels safe in the high seas.
The corrosive properties of sea water can be tackled to some extent by making use of the right type of anodes. Items that comprise two different metals come into contact with the salty sea water, these problems are aggravated because of a concept called galvanic corrosion. The best way to handle galvanic corrosion would be by making use of anodes.
An anode is simply a piece of metal that is attached to your underwater boat metals. An anode is made of a metal that's more active on the galvanic scale. Such an active metal will readily release electrons than the metal that makes up your boat. In most cases, this piece of metal is zinc.
A marine zinc anode helps you save hundreds of dollars by protecting your boat from corrosion. These anodes are installed in critical areas where galvanic corrosion is most likely to cause damage to your boat or vessel. So right from the hull to the propeller to outdrives to the rudder, you will find that sacrificial anodes silently continue with their job underwater.
However, it is important to regularly and periodically check on these anodes. During one of these checks, if you notice that the anode has dissolved to a size that's much smaller than its original size, then you know it's time for a replacement. You can simply uninstall the anode and install a fresh new anode in its place. The new anode will help you carry out the corrosion protection cycle uninterrupted.
Here are some important things to remember when you decide to invest in this relatively affordable corrosion protection solutionRemember that the marine zinc anode needs to come in direct contact with your boat metal in order to provide corrosion protection. If the anode is painted, the connection will be cut off and the corrosion protection cycle will come to a standstill.Another important aspect is that these anodes are not a permanent solution. You will constantly need to replace worn our anodes with fresh ones to keep the corrosion protection going. In this context, it is advisable to purchase pressure die cast anodes that are denser and thus longer lasting.Thus, by making effective use of marine zinc anode varieties, you can ensure corrosion protection for your boat or marine vessel. Do remember to note down all the areas on your boat where you have installed anodes. This will contribute towards effective monitoring and timely replacement of anodes.
