What are Zinc Anodes?
Whenever two metals contact each other in salt water, a current flows between those metals. The electrons that make up the
electrical current are taken from one of the metals, causing the metal to corrode. By purposely attaching a metal that is
less noble (in this case, a zinc anode) than the metal on parts on your boat, you can protect critical portions of your
vessel at the expense of the cheaper zinc. This is why zinc anodes are often called "sacrificial zincs".
Propellers, shafts, rudders, struts, etc., can be cathodically protected at the expense of zinc plates and anodes.
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- I hear a lot about aluminum anodes; should I use aluminum anodes or zinc anodes?
- What kind of zinc does B&S use?
- There's a lot of emphasis on "hand-poured" zinc anodes on your website. Why does B&S Marine Anodes hand
pour their zincs? How are other zincs made?
- How often should you change your anodes?
- Sometimes, mid-season my zincs are gone. Did they fall off?