Engine Service and Anodes

[mick1211]

Hi all, I am new to the boating fraternity and I purchased my boat which is currently in Amble Marina last October. I have only had a couple of trips out over the winter with a running time of about 2 hours. The total engine hours are about 220 and it was serviced in July then never used until I took it up from Sunderland in October. The bottom was antifouled and new anodes fitted at the same time as the engine service.
I would like some advice from all of the knowledgeable people out there as to whether I need to have an annual service regardless of the running time as I expect to have about 30 -40 hours use over the summer months.
Also are anodes a definite annual replacement and if so I would need to have the boat lifted and the job done at the boatyard as I am not confident enough to tackle this myself until I know what I am doing. What is the likely cost of what sounds to me to be quite a task.
I am on a steep learning curve so would appreciate any advice you can give. a picture of the boat is attched for reference. 2004 Beneteau Antares 710

[Norman]

Hi Mick,
I`ve got an ocqueteau 625 with a volvo 105hp inboard, I've done a little over 1000 hrs in 9 years. I had the engine serviced anually for the first 3 or 4 years then dropped it to once every 2 years.



I lift out to clean and antifoul also every 2 years although I have been known to leave it for 3 years . This of course is after being held in Royal Quays Marina which is fairly brackish water so not as much salt damage (electrolysis on anodes) as being berthed full time in salt water

Changing anodes is a fairly straight forward job, just undo the nut(s) replace with an identical anode and fasten up again.
generally anodes are on Rudder, Prop (end of shaft), and I`ve added a one to the skeg under the prop as this showed signs of degradation after first lift out. There may be one or two anodes on the hull connected internally to metalwork but again they would be straight forward to replace.

Picture below shows 3 replaced anodes just mentioned



Hope this helps

Norman

[mick1211]

Thanks Norman, you make it sound very easy and I prefer the idea of a service every 2 years. What is the ball park cost to get the boat lifted and is it a straight forward process / thanks again....Mick1211

[Norman]

In royal quays about Ł90 lift (each way so thats Ł180) usually includes 1 week ashore in boatyard free
All anodes shown in picture about Ł80
Antifoul approx Ł70
other ie cloth brushes wax etc etc Ł20
any other repairs at cost ........
elbow grease -- loads of ... free

it mounts up .........................

[ronw]

hello Mick

I'm in amble also , and have a beneteau 7 (jester) as Norman says the anodes are very easy to change and could be done while you have got the boat in the slings at amble boat co (5min job)there are two anodes one on the transom which you should be able to see and one on the end of the shaft exactly like the one in normans picture ,the one on the shaft will defo need changing they dont seem to last long.
a lift and hols is about Ł90. you can either hire a jet wash or they will do it for you.

I used to get two years out of a coat of antifoul with an annual pressure wash

some engines do have internal anodes be sure to replace this as a new heat exchanger is V expensive

cheers
Ron

[luckylady]

we have just changed the anodes on the warlord also in amble marina and was amazed how much they were eaten away ater only nine months although it is a big steel boat. bought the new ones from amble boat company very reasonable, 25 quid for the pear shaped ones. we just done it on the beach by the canoe clubs slipway in the corner of the marina but i wouldn't recommend that to someone with little experience.

[mick1211]

Thanks for all of the advice, I need to have a serious talk with someone to make sure that I know exactly what i am doing...............cheers..........Mick

[Charlie_Thompson]

Would a steel hull not eat anodes quicker than a fibreglass or wooden hull? Or does the chemistry not work that way?

[mark]

the hull doesn't eat the anodes, the anodes stop the hull from being eaten

cathodic reaction, electrons prefer to flow from the zinc than the steel

maybe we should fit cathodes in stead of anodes - the boat will be 5 foot longer next year

[ronw]

Mick my boat is out of the water at the moment in the car park have a look or give me a shout I'm up most saturdays working on her at the moment.
cheers
ron.

[luckylady]

not sure about the chemistry of these things charlie but the steel boats go through anodes about twice as quick as glass or wood.