69
BONDING SYSTEM
The purpose of the Bonding System is to
protect your yacht’s underwater compo-
nents from electrolysis and galvanic corro-
sion. Examples of underwater components
would be the propellers, propeller shafts,
rudders, engine/generator and seawater
intake valves.
Electrolysis and galvanic corrosion occurs
primarily in salt water, but can occur to a
lesser degree in fresh water. Salt water
allows electric current to flow from anodic
to cathodic material. Any two metals from
two components and their relative posi-
tions in the galvanic rating table will deter-
mine which metal loses material(anode)
and which metal remains largely
undisturbed(cathode). The distance apart
on the galvanic table of the two metals
determines the rate of wear. To help pre-
vent corrosion, sacrificial zinc anodes are
fitted to the underwater components of
your yacht, such as the propeller shafts
and rudders.
A large sacrificial zinc anode plate is also
attached to the underwater area of the
transom.
The anodes on the rudder, shaft and trim
tabs are installed by your Silverton Dealer.
The purpose of these sacrificial zinc
anodes is to attract any destructive electri-
cal currents away from the metallic under-
water components, thereby preventing
their eventual corrosion and allowing the
corrosion of the sacrificial zinc anodes.
The sacrificial zinc anodes are consider-
ably easier and cheaper to replace and
their deterioration will not affect the perfor-
mance of your yacht, as would the deterio-
ration of a propeller or rudder.
The Bonding System is a network of wires
(color coded green) that are connected to
all metallic underwater components within
the interior of the hull, which makes them
one unit for electrical current purposes.
This network of wires is then attached to
the sacrificial zinc anode located on the
transom, which allows corrosion of the
anode, but prevents corrosion of the
underwater components.
General maintenance of the Bonding
System consists of yearly replacement of
the sacrificial zinc anode located on the
transom and all other zinc anodes located
on the propeller shafts, rudders, etc. and
To Next Page