• Nominal Weight: 1.8kg
• Length: 200mm
• Width: 90mm
• No. fixing holes: 2
• Includes Free Backing Sheet
• Includes Fixing Nuts and Locking Washers

Pear-shaped anodes are commonly used on sailboats and other marine vessels because of their specific shape and design, which provide a number of benefits for corrosion protection. These anodes are typically sacrificial anodes made from materials such as zinc, aluminum, or magnesium, and they are strategically used to protect various submerged metal components of the sailboat from galvanic corrosion.

Why Are Pear-Shaped Anodes Used on Sailboats?

1. Shape Maximizes Protection for the Hull and Stern Gear:

   • The pear shape allows for efficient coverage of the boat’s underwater components. This shape provides a greater surface area for protection while still being streamlined enough not to cause excessive drag in the water.
   • It’s especially effective in protecting both the propeller shaft and the rudder or stern gear—parts of the boat that are more prone to galvanic corrosion due to their metal construction and exposure to water.

2. More Effective for Boats with Limited Space:

   • Sailboats often have less space around the propeller shaft and rudder than motorboats, and pear-shaped anodes fit into smaller or tighter spaces. Their compact design allows them to be installed in places where traditional cylindrical anodes may not fit or be as effective.

3. Strategic Placement for Maximum Efficiency:

   • The shape of the pear anode makes it easier to position them where they’re most needed—on the stern tube, rudder post, or propeller shaft, places that are in constant contact with the water and prone to galvanic corrosion.
   • The larger portion of the pear shape is typically placed near the areas of greatest risk of corrosion (e.g., around the stern and propeller area), and the pointed end is positioned to create an optimal balance between surface area and water flow.

4. Streamlined Shape Reduces Drag:

   • The pear-shaped design reduces drag compared to bulkier or more angular anodes. This is particularly important for sailboats, where reducing any form of resistance in the water is beneficial for maintaining speed and efficiency while under sail.
   • The shape is hydrodynamic, allowing for effective protection without causing excessive turbulence or resistance in the water.

5. Durability and Longevity:

   • Pear-shaped anodes are designed to gradually wear away as they perform their sacrificial role of protecting the boat's metal parts. The shape allows for more uniform wear, ensuring that the anode remains effective for longer compared to more irregularly shaped or poorly positioned anodes.

6. Corrosion Resistance in Saltwater:

   • Pear-shaped anodes made from zinc or aluminum are particularly useful in saltwater environments, which are more corrosive than freshwater. These anodes protect submerged metal parts such as the propeller, rudder, shafts, and stern gear by sacrificing themselves to corrosion, thus preventing damage to the boat’s valuable metal components.

How Do Pear-Shaped Anodes Work?

The pear-shaped anode operates the same way as other sacrificial anodes:

• Galvanic Protection: When a metal object (like a propeller shaft or rudder) and an anode are both immersed in water, an electrical current flows between them. The less noble metal (the anode) corrodes instead of the more noble metal (the propeller or rudder), effectively protecting the valuable metal from degradation.
• Sacrificial Role: The pear-shaped anode slowly dissolves over time as it gives up its metal ions to protect the surrounding metal parts from galvanic corrosion. This ensures that the boat’s critical metal components stay intact, while the anode material deteriorates instead.

Installation of Pear-Shaped Anodes:

Pear-shaped anodes are usually attached directly to the propeller shaft, rudder post, or stern gear of the sailboat using bolts or set screws. The exact installation method will depend on the specific boat and anode model.

Maintenance and Replacement:

• Inspect Regularly: Pear-shaped anodes should be checked regularly, especially at the start of the sailing season. Look for signs of corrosion and wear. A good rule of thumb is to replace the anode when it has worn down to about half of its original size.

• Replacement: Once a pear-shaped anode has corroded significantly, it should be replaced to continue providing effective protection to the boat’s metal parts. Failure to replace the anode in time can lead to corrosion of important components like the propeller shaft or rudder, which can be costly to repair.