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pagmd · 11-06-2021, 11:43

last year unable to replace the anode on saildive SD20. for reasons beyond my control, finally got a diver to do it and he found some electrolytic damage. A friend suggested I might be able to repair it using two part epoxy products.i should be getting a haulout soon, and wonder if anybody has any experience with this. Thanks.

boatpoker · 11-06-2021, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagmd

last year unable to replace the anode on saildive SD20. for reasons beyond my control, finally got a diver to do it and he found some electrolytic damage. A friend suggested I might be able to repair it using two part epoxy products.i should be getting a haulout soon, and wonder if anybody has any experience with this. Thanks.

"some electrolytic damage" I have no idea what that means.
That could be anywhere from re-prime and re-paint to just chuck the whole thing and get a new drive.

pagmd · 11-06-2021, 12:23

I'm not sure what it means either till I get it hauled out, but the diver said some "chunks" of metal were soft under where the anode sits. I'm hoping to repair those with epoxy but of course replacement of the unit is a last resort.

Celestialsailor · 13-06-2021, 14:31

Probably surface degradation. If it's not too bad take a wire wheel in a driil motor and clean it to bright casting. wash with alcohol and use the two part epoxy called JB weld liquid steel. You may have to do a little bit at a time so it won't sag. Just wire brush between build ups. sand smooth, cover with epoxy primer and then paint.
I was a skeptic over the years of this product but I tried it on a Westerbeke thermostat housing as a temporary fix with a corrosion hole until I found a decent priced replacement. I found one but procrastinated on replacing it and when I sold the boat 6 years later, it was still doing it's job.

boatpoker · 13-06-2021, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Probably surface degradation. If it's not too bad take a wire wheel in a driil motor and clean it to bright casting. wash with alcohol and use the two part epoxy called JB weld liquid steel. You may have to do a little bit at a time so it won't sag. Just wire brush between build ups. sand smooth, cover with epoxy primer and then paint.
I was a skeptic over the years of this product but I tried it on a Westerbeke thermostat housing as a temporary fix with a corrosion hole until I found a decent priced replacement. I found one but procrastinated on replacing it and when I sold the boat 6 years later, it was still doing it's job.

I have no idea if "steel" is a component of this product but be aware that if it is, applying it to an aluminum sail drive will be the kiss of death due to galvanic corrosion.

Celestialsailor · 13-06-2021, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I have no idea if "steel" is a component of this product but be aware that if it is, applying it to an aluminum sail drive will be the kiss of death due to galvanic corrosion.

Relax, it's not. Besides how many "kiss of death" stainless fasteners are on it?