Tips to Prevent Boat Corrosion
Corrosion is a silent adversary to boat owners. It deteriorates boats' structural integrity, affects their performance, and diminishes their visual appeal. Thankfully, there are simple techniques to help prevent your vessel from rusting—we discuss a few of them below!
Understanding the Types of Corrosion
Understanding corrosion is a pivotal first step toward prevention. The form of corrosion that often occurs on boats is galvanic corrosion. This type originates from electric currents caused by different metals submerging in an electrolyte like water. Another type is stray current corrosion—an aggressive form resulting from faulty marina wiring or boat electrical systems.
Choose Correct Materials and Anti-Corrosive Techniques
You can prevent corrosion right from the moment you bring your vessel home. You’ll want to opt for oxidation-resistant materials such as stainless steel, brass, and bronze, and follow regular cathodic protection practices like using zinc or aluminum sacrificial anodes.
Conduct Routine Inspection and Maintenance
A thorough inspection enables early detection of signs, stopping corrosion in its tracks before it spreads further. Remember, you should pay extra attention to areas where different metals connect and places with trapped water.
Utilize Anti-Corrosive Products
Invest in quality anti-corrosive products such as rust inhibitors and protective coatings designed specifically for marine environments. These additional layers provide a barrier between the exposed surfaces and corrosive elements.
Prevention is better than cure when dealing with visible vestiges of vessel degradation due to marine corrosions. By understanding these principles outlined above and appropriately implementing them, you can keep your seafaring friend looking fresh and performing optimally.
For further guidance or assistance, visit us at Boat Masters Marine in Akron, OH, and our satellite sales location at Lake Milton, OH. We're proud to support all local and neighboring boat owners around Youngstown and Cleveland, OH, so swing by today!