Anode Protection for Moored Vessels: Essential Maintenance for WA Boat Owners

Maddox Aluminium Anode

If your boat lives in the water, corrosion isn’t a possibility — it’s a guarantee. Whether you’re moored at Fremantle, Hillarys, Mandurah, Claremont, or along the Swan River, your vessel’s underwater metals are constantly exposed to corrosive forces.

At Yacht Grot 1985 Marine Chandlery, we help WA boat owners protect their vessels with quality sacrificial anodes from Cathodic Anodes Australia and Maddox Anodes. Here’s what you need to know if your boat stays in the water year-round — and why anode maintenance should never be overlooked.

Moored Boats: Higher Risk, Greater Need for Anode Protection

Vessels left in the water 24/7 are exposed to galvanic corrosion every minute of every day. This electrochemical process occurs when different metals are submerged in seawater and electrically connected — common on nearly every boat.

Without proper anode protection, you could face costly corrosion damage to:

• Propeller shafts and struts

• Rudders and pintles

• Stern drives and saildrives

• Hull fittings and through-hulls

• Trim tabs and swim platforms

Moored boats are especially vulnerable due to:

• Continuous exposure to saltwater

• Electrical currents in marinas

• Nearby vessels with different bonding systems

• Minimal water flow around the hull (especially in marina pens)

  
  

  

  CAA Pencil Anodes & Brass Plugs

  
  

Quality Matters: Our Trusted Suppliers

At Yacht Grot 1985, we stock anodes you can rely on — not cheap imports that fail early.

✅ Cathodic Anodes Australia

• Designed for our unique marine conditions

• Trusted by marine professionals and commercial operators

• Zinc and aluminium alloy options for all hull types

✅ Maddox Anodes

• Long-standing Australian manufacturer

• Consistent alloy composition for reliable performance

• Available in a range of configurations: shaft, bolt-on, weld-on, and more

Choosing the Right Anodes for Moored Boats in Perth

Here’s how to select the right anodes for moored vessels in our local waters:

Location	Water Type	Recommended Anode Material
Fremantle / Hillarys / Mandurah	Saltwater	Zinc or Aluminium
Swan River (Claremont, East Fremantle, Applecross)	Brackish	Aluminium
Marinas with lots of nearby vessels	Salt + Electrolysis Risk	Aluminium for better durability

How Often Should Moored Vessels Replace Anodes?

If your boat stays in the water, here’s a general rule of thumb:

• Inspect every 6 months

• Replace every 12 months or when anodes are 50% depleted

• After any shaft/prop/rudder work, check or replace anodes immediately

• If you notice corrosion or pitting, your anode may have failed or isn’t properly bonded

Boats in busy marinas or swing moorings near other boats can be affected by stray electrical currents, accelerating anode consumption. Don’t assume your anodes will last a full year — check regularly.

Tips for Effective Anode Installation (for Moored Boats)

1. Clean the Mounting Area

   Remove all paint, growth, and residue. Anodes must have bare metal contact to work.

2. Proper Bonding is Critical

   Ensure your anodes are electrically connected to the metal they’re protecting. A multimeter can confirm continuity.

3. Don’t Paint Over Anodes

   An anode covered in antifoul paint is an anode that won’t work.

4. Check Shaft Anodes are Secure

   Loose shaft collars are ineffective. Use the correct size and tighten bolts properly.

5. Multiple Metal Types? Use Additional Anodes

   Protect each metal group — especially if your boat has stainless steel, bronze, and aluminium components all in play.

6. Check During In-Water Hull CleansI

   If you hire a diver to clean the hull (common in Perth marinas), ask them to inspect and photograph your anodes. It’s a perfect opportunity.

   
   

   

   Shaft Anode

Signs Your Anodes Need Replacing

• Visibly eroded or crumbling

• More than 50% mass lost

• White crusty buildup (aluminium oxide) forming on aluminium anodes

• No continuity between the anode and metal part (test with multimeter)

• Ongoing corrosion or pitting on props, shafts, or through-hulls

Common Pitfalls in WA Marinas

❌ Thinking your anodes will last 2+ years (they won’t in most cases)

❌ Using zinc in brackish waters like the Swan River

❌ Not checking new or refitted boats for proper bonding

❌ Assuming a haul-out is the only time to replace anodes — many can be changed by divers

❌ Ignoring neighbouring boats with poor electrical systems — they could be accelerating your corrosion

Your Local Anode Experts

At Yacht Grot 1985, we’re proud to support WA’s moored boat owners with:

• A full range of zinc and aluminium anodes

• Expert advice for shaft-driven, saildrive, and stern drive vessels

• Mounting hardware and bonding materials

• Help calculating how many anodes your setup needs

We’ve been serving Perth’s marine community since 1985 — and we know what works in our conditions.

Don’t Let Corrosion Win

If your boat stays in the water, your anodes are your first line of defence. Replace them before they fail — not after the damage is done.

Visit Yacht Grot  for advice, stock, and solutions that keep your boat protected all year long.

🧭 Located at 57 Queen Victoria Street in Fremantle — proudly serving boaters across WA.

📞 Got questions? Call us or come in — we're here to help.