Another newbie question.

[Mark Mcleod]

I have a 1972 macwester wight that was sitting on land for a couple of years before I got her.

I have searched the entire hull and cant find anodes or even studs or holes for them.

The only thing i can find is a couple of holes and small studs at the bottom of the rudder.

Ive had the floor up looking but there arent even wires going to the engine.

Shes over 50 years old so im probably missing something but i cant think what.

There are no signs whatsoever of any metal being eaten by the sea.

Are the anodes in a different place in these boats ?

[Geoffrey White]

Hi Mark

 

I have a Macwester 26 about the same age as yours.

 

There is one anode fitted underneath the hull and another one at the bottom of the rudder. This latter one is the one I expect you can see or the holes anyway.

Fitting a new one or a replacement isn’t something I would take on myself as I’d be worried about possible leaks so better to pay a bit extra and get someone to do it for you. I’m in the UK at the moment but my boat is in Malta so I can’t check to see if there are any wires attached; in fact, I don’t think I’ve ever looked! I daresay that the shop where you buy the anode would be able to advise. The fitting is not a big job but you have to be sure that it doesn’t leak.

 

Kind regards

 

Geoff White

[Linda Nixon]

Hi there.

As Geoff says, there seems to be one missing from the bottom of the rudder – usually a 4” round one. Lots of older boats didn’t have anodes fitted but I recommend a pear shape anode to be fitted either side of the engine (on the outside hull). Use correct anode bolts.

Wire it up to the engine, a further wire to the rudder tube and shaft, a wire to the propeller shaft. There are two ways to do this: a jumper wire across the coupling or a set of brushes on to the shaft which are fitted on to the shaft gland and tube.

Anodes without being wired are a waste of time frankly.

You should find lots of videos online to advise you further.

If you use the correct anode studs you don’t have to renew them every time you replace a worn anode.

Chris – Technical Officer

[Author]

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