Boat Corrosion Prevention 101

Corrosion is a nightmare for boat owners. It can sneak up, cause other issues, quickly spread, and result in expensive damage. Boat corrosion is also irreversible, which is why prevention is so important.

We've gathered up the following guide to boat corrosion prevention. If you want more maintenance advice or want to shop boats for sale, contact Bob Hewes Boats. We have dealerships in North Miami and Pompano Beach, Florida, and also proudly serve those in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

The Science Behind Boat Corrosion

Corrosion can take many different forms, but the relevant one for boat owners is called galvanic corrosion.

This involves two materials with different atomic makeup and different electrical potential. A positive and negative charge in the metals gets activated when they encounter an electrolyte pool.

The process creates a type of battery. One material becomes negatively charged, which is known as the cathode. The other gets positively charged, which is called the anode. The cathode attracts electrons from the anode, which causes the corrosion.

Where Galvanic Corrosion Often Happens

Galvanic corrosion is more likely to occur in certain areas. If you frequent saltwater areas, be aware of boat areas that have steel and bronze or steel and aluminum. Other highly vulnerable areas are around the propeller and around the mast.

The Strategy Against Boat Corrosion

Boat owners won't be able to fully stop galvanic corrosion, but they can control where it happens. That's where a sacrificial anode enters the picture.

This metal draws the galvanic corrosion to itself, which prevents the corrosion damage from occurring on the important parts of the boat.

Sacrificial anodes can be made out of various materials. The main option used to be zinc, but it's used less nowadays because it oxidizes in freshwater. Today, aluminum and magnesium are frequently used.

When you are ready to get a sacrificial anode, it's helpful to use a multimeter. This will give you a voltage reading, which lets you know what you will need to offset.

Don't forget that the sacrificial anode will lose effectiveness over time. As the galvanic corrosion takes its toll, the sacrificial anode will break down and eventually need to be replaced.

Standards From The American Boat And Yacht Council

If you want more detailed insight about boat corrosion, the American Boat And Yacht Council is a helpful resource. They've created standards regarding boat corrosion, which give helpful recommendations.

Want more maintenance advice? Looking to shop boats for sale? Whatever you need, you can find at Bob Hewes Boats. Our expert staff is happy to help, so reach out today. Or stop by our dealerships in North Miami and Pompano Beach, Florida. We also proudly serve those in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.