type anodes to use on great lakes?

Used magnesium on our alphas and now on our inboard running gear, Lake Ontario. Worked perfectly but wore away very quickly (meaning they did their job)
 
Thanks very much. I/Os new to me. I’d lift the OB out when docked and really saw very little wearing on anodes. This will be different deal with drive in water all summer. Wondering how often I might be replacing. Lake Erie. Also I’m think of using out drive anti fouling paint - had some zebra mussels on small part of OB unit that lived in the water. Would hate to have ‘em all over that unit in fall.
 
Magnesium is the type to use for certain. I even replaced my large transom anode to magnesium. Assuming Sea Ray installed zinc from the factory because they never wear down so I changed it.
 
I went with these - hope they are decent. Guess we'll see.

https://performancemetals.com/products/10059a-mercruiser-alpha-1-gen-ii-complete-anode-kit

here's their sales pitch... I'd say they they know magnesium is clearly better in fresh but probably wears out quicker.
"
AnodeCompChart_large.jpg


Magnesium Anodes - Caution!
Magnesium is the most active metal on the Galvanic scale. It can be used in freshwater, but care must exercised. Magnesium can over-protect aluminum hulls or outdrives in salt or brackish water or even polluted freshwater, causing paint to be lifted with resulting corrosion. Even a few hours immersion can cause severe damage."
 
Dxdave said:
Thanks very much. I/Os new to me. I’d lift the OB out when docked and really saw very little wearing on anodes. This will be different deal with drive in water all summer. Wondering how often I might be replacing. Lake Erie. Also I’m think of using out drive anti fouling paint - had some zebra mussels on small part of OB unit that lived in the water. Would hate to have ‘em all over that unit in fall.
Click to expand...

Hi Dx, I have a 2004 225 Weekender and leave my boat docked from mid May til mid Oct on a good size inland lake in Michigan. If u leave your boat docked for the summer, zebra mussels are horrible!! At the end of season 2021, my outdrive was covered with mussels! I did some research after I pulled the boat last year and found something called “The Dock Disc”, supposed to repel zebra mussels…was skeptical, but ordered it anyway (about $65). Used it last year, no mussel build up on my outdrive at all… well worth the money, I’ll be getting another one in the spring. Hope this helps:)
 
thanks for tip - have you considered anti fouling paint for the outdrive? there are some specifically designed for metal..
 
I am also docked on Lake Erie. Interlux bottom paint and Trilux 33 antifouling outdrive paint . Looks like new after stopping at car wash after haul out.
 
We dock on Catawba Island and didn't get our boat out until after water was shut off at marina, so I could not pressure wash at Marina. Took a chance at car wash near Marina and was impressed that car wash pressure did the trick. The bottom did not look too bad when we pulled it out, mostly slimy build up on sides and waterline. The guys that work at marina said better to wash right away before it dries out and gets harder to get off. We also put new magnesium anodes on this year and they look wore some, but good for another year.
 
impressed - pretty resourceful using car wash.- they have pretty good pressure on those. I get bottom cleaned in driveway at home right after hauling. Vc17 works very well as far as cleaning up pretty easy. Got s small power washer but found just house pressure and garden hose does it.
 
To answer the original question... yes, magnesium for fresh water... no matter whether the lake is great, mediocre, or even just plain crappy!

And always use a pressure washer with great caution, they can cause real problems around seals and fittings. They are effective and use very little water, though.
 
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