Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 8:33am

I am fitting new anodes to my narrowboat can you tell me how much bare metal i need to expose for them to work correctly.

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:04am

The vital thing is that they are in as near perfect electrical contact with the hull as possible and as you should be welding them you only need to clean the hull sufficiently to allow for good welds. The weld will make a steel "bridge" between the anode strap and the hull which will also give near perfect electrical contact. Once the anodes are fitted there is no reason preventing you from blacking over the weld and strap, however NEVER black or paint the anode. Finally I trust you are fitting magnesium anodes and not zinc ones. Zinc for salt water, magnesium for fresh. Tony Brooks

Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:09am

Many thanks for info and fast reply Best regards Tim