What are Zinc Anodes?
Whenever two metals contact each other in salt water, a current flows between those metals. The electrons that make up the electrical current are taken from one of the metals, causing the metal to corrode. By purposely attaching a metal that is less noble (in this case, a zinc anode) than the metal on parts on your boat, you can protect critical portions of your vessel at the expense of the cheaper zinc. This is why zinc anodes are often called “sacrificial zincs”. Propellers, shafts, rudders, struts, etc., can be cathodically protected at the expense of zinc plates and anodes.
