Function, maintenance of your outboard's sacrificial anode

Expert Marine consultant Jamie D shows the 2 important functions of the often misunderstood sacrificial anode on the outboard engine, as well as what you need to do to keep this important part in perfect operational shape to save your outboard from corrosion

[@stevestorey5967]

He is absolutely correct about which way you move the trim anode. If the bow tends to yaw to the right ( also perceived as easier to turn the boat to starboard ) then loosen the boat and move the trim anode to the right. This has the effect of deflecting the whole engine in the opposite direction. (Put your hand out of your car window at 60 mph vertical and straight on to the airflow, then deflect it left or right, as if you were deflecting the trim anode. The resultant force will deflect your hand/arm in the opposite direction..... hey presto) Its actually an aerodynamic/fluid force, related to Bernoulli and relative flow over a moving body, but the car test is a simplistic prover ! Power steering can still be affected, and noticed by steering wheel drift; The amount of drift depending on speed, force, rigidity and friction in the steering system etc etc. For those asking about lean, these have NO effect on lean at all, that will generally be a loading issue, trapped water in compartments etc.

[@johnvolstad5870]

I liked the way he showed the actual corrosion on the tab.

[@fredfurrer1035]

Good video. Anyone who is criticizing him does not actually know what THEY are talking about. Sure, he uses casual language, but nothing wrong with that. I was surprised to see how the anode gets attacked in particular areas -- not just all over the surface. I was also surprised that once severe corrosion of the anode occurs, it is best to install a new one. The anode should not be painted, and it must be making electrical contact with the aluminum of the motor. My lower unit is showing corrosion on the surface, and now I know what to look for and how to correct it.

[@markgardiner1767]

That is exactly what I needed to know and learn, thank you👋

[@MuttleyEason]

Good info. Zinc tabs are easier to adjust than I thought.

[@chunkyfather29]

Awesome video

[@fredfurrer1035]

When an instruction says, move the tab "right" or "left", you first have to know the perspective of which is right and which is left. Same with clockwise and counter-clockwise. For example, the left side of a car is always the driver's side. On boats, the left side is called the port side, and is the left side when facing forward. It seems counter-intuitive to move the trim tab rear edge left if the boat is tending to go left, but it must have to do with the water coming off the prop being deflected to the right when the tab is towards the left -- somewhat like a jet boat thrust -- thus urging the boat left. I don't know if this is true, but it is plausible. I will check it out on my own boat to see for sure.

[@Budl1te]

Remember, Boats do not have tires and linkage to steer them with. The outboard/Prop pushes the stern right which in turn causes the front of your boat to move left and vice versa, so the steering is really done from the rear and has the opposite affect on the front of the boat.

[@brookselliston5831]

Ventilation plate not anti cavitation plate. Cavitation is the "cavity" in the water (bubble) created from the shear force of a pressure differential. That's why your propeller makes bubbles above idle. Ventilation plate keeps the water intact around the prop giving it good liquid to bite in to: that's why blowing out the prop in a hard turn = ventilating the prop.

[@yusuftopalogluizmir]

Good video, my boat is a sailboat and the engine which is Tohatsu 9.8 hp is fixed inside the motor well . The engine is always in the water and the trim tab melted in six months. I bought a new one. The engine is in the motor well but on the starboard side and I wonder if I have to modify direction of the trim tab. I don't know which way to change it

[@mikepollard7197]

Do you have to have this. The reason I ask is I'm adding a hydrofoil se sport 300 to my 150 vein rude to get up on pane faster and bolt holes hit edge of anode edge. I can either drill through it or take it off or not use hydrofoil I've tried moving it a little but still hits it.

[@jaygreenstein9553]

Should you push some lithium grease in the hole to make easy to remove later

[@danielcastillo83]

Shop keeps putting new bolt and tab but every weekend keeps falling out while in the water. Very frustrating 2016 f115 4 stroke

[@kapchailaut6531]

my going straight but once on speed boat hard to turn. is this problem with anode

[@clintonmclimore8370]

what if my boat is leaning left will this correct it

[@JerseyMikeP]

How do you remove one if the bolt is stuck and the head got rounded? I already tried the PB blaster/WD-40 soaking prior to trying to remove it.

[@scottgates302]

JerseyMikeP I have that problem what was the fix

[@rickysmith2248]

My 91 Evinrude has a painted anode does that mean I dont have to change it? And what can I do to keep the boat from leaning left it's a deep V Lowe boat 17ft.

[@rdzed3505]

Never...ever...ever...have a painted zinc. Never. Replace it or get the paint off, asap.

[@joecserful]

will that make the boat lean?

[@chuckwright8889]

it prevents the lean....unless you adjust it too far, then it will lean the other way...

[@tersan8547]

Nice music :) What is it?

[@tylerkapla1331]

Steve Vai " Tender Surrender"

[@rgwaldron]

well done 12 dollar anodes? if it's Yamaha about 20 bucks

[@poolmotorrepairguyFL]

FYI IT'S ON TO THE RIGHT or LEFTY LOOOSY .. OVER LOL

[@DetroitDoc]

I think you have it backwards. According to my Mercury manual... "If the boat turns more easily to the left, move the trailing edge of trim tab to the left. If the boat turns more easily to the right move the trailing edge of trim tab to the right."

[@Budl1te]

He did say turn it in the direction the boat is leading.

[@peterswollen7772]

REALY? sooooooooo, does that also apply to HYDRAULIC STEERING? nope!

[@Budl1te]

Depends on your rig, I am told the Alpha One Gen one really needs it to help keep the boat straight and to make the steering more responsive (That is with Power/hydraulic steering). For other rigs it is for the electrical portion, gives the electricity something easy to eat rather than your outboard.

[@dang-khoavo4648]

WRONG! Your anodes are NOT made out of lead!!!

[@yankos_]

" A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. " Corrosion is the end result of Electrolysis. Electrolysis is a process of electron transfer, not a thing. The "scratch" marks on the trim tab is a result of corrosion, propellar tip cavitation and erosion from the water.... and propellars have blades not "ears". I don't think this guy is an expert. Why do I think this? I'm a degree qualified Mechanical Engineer and some of what he said doesn't make much common sense.

[@Budl1te]

I understood perfectly.