Corrosion Protection
 

Hi, my name is Dave. I'm in need of some advice. I have a new boat with twin volvos. It has an (active corrosion protection system). I believe this is the same as the Mercury mercathode system. My boat is bottom painted and stays in the water about 6 mos a year. Do these systems really work? Are they necessary if all the zincs are in place and monitored regularly? I'm asking because mine are broken. Volvo is aware they are having some failures. But since the only way to replace mine is to remove one or both engines they are giving me some grief. They are telling me I'll be ok with out it. I would appreciate any thoughts. Thank you!

first off is your boat hooked up to shorepower?if so get that system repaired. the Zinc is for galvanic corrosion, dissimilar metals and the mercathode system is a add on that help's the anodes protect your boat from these low voltage galvanic currents, if I had my boat in the water as much as yours I would want it working, and if you have shore power hooked up you need to add an isolator for the ground. if your boat stayed on the trailer I would not worry much, but hey I am no expert, maybe someone else will pop in with some more info
Mark