Lifespan of saildrive anodes

[elias]

Hi to all ,
I m having a debate with some fellow sailors . Every year I am throwing to the trash my anodes . Is not about the money is about also the resources and waste . Last year I decided to keep it since that it had tiny blisters and just surface oxidation . The boat stays on the yard 6 months and 6 months at sea . What is your experience ?

[symphony2]

Varies hugely depending on the location of the boat and type of anode. When I kept my boat in the Ionian 7 months in 5 out the 120 anode easily went 5 years. Back in the UK in the water 12 months changed after 2 years. The larger 130 anode (twice the mass of the 120) in the UK 3 years to change when the mass has dropped by over 50%.

[Mirror45184]

Anode life in South Australia is 2 - 3 years. It does depend on your neighbours having good galvanic protection.

[sy_imagine]

Our boat stays nearly all year long in the waters of Lefkas Marina because we are living on it and the anode has to be changed every year when the boat has to be put on the hard for changing the gear oil. As Elias said, it depends on the circumstances. There is no reason for changing the anode if it looks ok.

[elias]

Our boat stays nearly all year long in the waters of Lefkas Marina because we are living on it and the anode has to be changed every year when the boat has to be put on the hard for changing the gear oil. As Elias said, it depends on the circumstances. There is no reason for changing the anode if it looks ok.

Greetings from Nydri!

[Lazy Pelican]

Mine has been on for about 6 years. Probably got another year or 2 life. We’re afloat 4-5 months / year, very rarely in an official Marina.

[diverphil]

on our s130 in uk we are getting about 2 yrs out of it, in water most of the year, last time was 2.5 yrs and it was well shot. so check every year and change at below 50%

[tiger79]

on our s130 in uk we are getting about 2 yrs out of it, in water most of the year, last time was 2.5 yrs and it was well shot. so check every year and change at below 50%

Do you have a galvanic isolator fitted?

[Baddox]

We bought our boat in 2016 and still havent changed the anodes.  They remain in good condition with only a little erosion.  The SD and prop are painted with epoxy before antifouling and the marina is fed with fresh water from a small stream which I expect reduces the speed of corrosion.

[Jeffatoms]

A few other thoughts...

Last time we pulled ours the Volvo replacement was an anode of aluminum,not zinc.  I asked for zinc and got aluminum.  The service tech said that according to Volvo the potential between the various alloys was adequate in salt water (Puget Sound is our home).

Also, stray current should always be considered when underwater anodes are quickly depleted.

[Laysula]

I change mine every two years. They always look like they would do another easily but I normally only lift out every two. Galvanic isolator fitted and shore power is never left connected. Bavaria 350 in Brixham marina.