Boat anodes, everything you need to know. How to install on boats the right way to protect metalwork

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Anodes & Accessories
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“Anodes provide protection of boat metals that are in the water, like your propeller, shaft and skin fittings. By choosing the right anode, installing it in the right place and bonding it correctly to the metalwork you want to protect, it will halt corrosion. Ideally your anode should be replaced when it has reduced to 50% of its original build.” Leigh Jacobs, Force 4 Director
0:00 • Intro
0:05 • Removing the old anode
0:29 • New anode features
0:57 • Why do we need anodes?
1:22 • How does the anode halt corrosion?
1:36 • Which anode do I need?
1:50 • Choosing a location for your anode
2:41 • Bonding the anode to the metalwork
3:11 • How does the Shaft Earthing Assembly Electro Connector work?
3:57 • MGDuff Zinc Anode ZD56 Kit - Contents
4:32 • Installing the anode on the hull
6:38 • Products used
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See all products here:
MGDuff - Zinc Anode ZD56 Kit - Code M460005
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MGDuff - M10B Anode Fixing Stud Assembly - Code 460007
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Force 4 - Tinned Cable 4.0mm Black - Code 110159
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Force 4 - Earth Bonding Rings - Code M830627
bit.ly/3vUAsHO
MGDuff - Electro Eliminator- EE1 - Code 460020
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Force 4 - Sikaflex 291i Adhesive Sealant - Code M440015
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[@Force4Chandleryltd]

The anode on this boat really was diminished - it definitely needed replacing

[@kevinmisselbrook1202]

Good video but it’s a shame it didn’t cover bolting the stud from the inside. Apart from an aside comment one might be led to believe that all you need is sikaflex !

[@Force4Chandleryltd]

Hi Kevin, thank you for your comment. We couldn't film the anode bolt from the inside as the bolt was under the engine with just enough room to get a spanner on the nut. The video does mention that you should use earth bonding wires to connect the anode to the shaft and gearbox.

[@simonharesnape8070]

Can you weld an anode to the side of the boat rather than drilling a hole in the hull , worried about the seal failing and flooding my boat . Have a narrowboat , with four magnesium anodes ready to fit !

[@Force4Chandleryltd]

Hi Simon, thank you for your question. Yes we stock a range of weld on magnesium anode for freshwater use - these are very popular on Narrowboats www.force4.co.uk/item/M-G-Duff/MD73-Magnesium-Weld-On-Anode/CPO If there is anything else we can help you with please let us know.

[@josephlai9759]

Thank you for your interesting video. Didn't know there are anodes for different waters. I have a question - is there such a thing as installing too many zinc anodes to cause damage instead of protection?

[@Force4Chandleryltd]

Hi Joseph, Yes! Having too many zinc anodes on a boat can actually be detrimental, particularly if your boat has a wooden or metal hull. Over zincing happens when there is too much anodic protection. Having an excessive number of sacrificial anodes installed on your boat can lead to unintended consequences. 1) Burnback and discoloration 2) Paint delamination and flaking 3) Caustic wood rot

[@josephlai9759]

@@Force4Chandleryltd Thank you so much. Incidentally, I found out a day ago from a video by Marine Surveys R. US. that it is the alkaline environment from too many anodes that damages fibers in wood. They did not elaborate on metal hull though. One other question that did arise from this is whether we need to connect the bonding system to the hull directly even if it is made of wood or fiberglass, i.e. not just to the metal through-hulls or engine, etc. Do we need to do that even though they are seemingly non-conductive?

[@Force4Chandleryltd]

Hello, So this required a big of digging - and what I would always suggest is you speak to an anode manufacturer to double check these things. M G Duff and Tecnoseal both have great technical teams to help advise you on such subjects. What we did find was this - "We do not recommend bonding a wooden hulled boat, but if you do, make sure the bonding system is insulated from contact with the wood. Any current flowing through the wood (especially if damp) causes rapid deterioration." - performancemetals.com/pages/why-bond-metal-parts-on-a-boat They also say - "It can sometimes be better to use bronze fittings which are naturally protected and do not require protection from an anode, particularly on a wooden hulled boat which can be damaged by the low voltage provided by the anode."

[@josephlai9759]

@@Force4Chandleryltd Thank you so much. This is indeed a complicated subject.