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Zinc Anodes On Aluminum Hulls

zinc anode on FPB 64

This is one of three sacrificial zinc anodes on the first FPB 64. They work in conjunction with the paint system to protect the aluminum hull. Over time they wear away. Wind Horse has her original anode after five years. They have two or three more years of service left.


Posted by Steve Dashew  (December 14, 2009)

This entry was posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 7:00 am and is filed under FPB Series Notes. Both comments and pings are currently closed.




2 Responses to “Zinc Anodes On Aluminum Hulls”

  1. George Says:
    February 6th, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    I’m surprised you haven’t considered an impressed current cathodic protection system, electrolysis being the only thing that can kill an aluminum hull.


  2. Steve Dashew Says:
    February 6th, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    Hi George:
    We have looked at impressed current many times. If you have a full time ship’s engineer it makes sense. But if the current is not correctly adjusted it can cause huge problems. The passive zinc system we use has proven to be reliable. The only negative it the need to clean the zincs on a periodic basis and a bit of drag.