Beware of Martyr shaft anode fragility

[lucseawalker]

I was pretty surprised to have Martyr shaft anode cracking during installation on the engine shaft during my last haul out. Using a small Allen wrench, I did not think I could exert that much pressure on a strong zinc collar!

I emailed this fact and the attached photo to the manufacturer in Canada as i suspect a manufacturing defect but got no interest or support. Was told to send a copy of my invoice but then that did not apply to any zinc bought outside Canada/US (I was in Malaysia and did not have the receipt from Thailand marine store!)

So be very careful when tightening ...
As for myself, I will look for a different brand for my future zinc purchases as I prefer dealing with brands that stand behind their products and do their best to make quality gear.

[SailingHarmonie]

Looks to me like the washer that is supposed to be under the bolt head is missing. Nothing wrong with the zinc, an installation failure.

Real lesson: don’t lose the little washer!

[lucseawalker]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

Looks to me like the washer that is supposed to be under the bolt head is missing. Nothing wrong with the zinc, an installation failure.

Real lesson: don’t lose the little washer!

The washers, both under the bolt head and retaining washer under the nut were there when installed, I believe .... this photo was taken well afterwards and the washers used somewhere else

[Tin Tin]

Maybe you bought an imitation, the 1 3/8 marking is upside down or is it random about how the factory stamps them?

[NorthCoastJoe]

I have a 35 mm shaft, that is 0.004" larger than 1 3/8". I have used the 1 3/8 zincs with no problem mashing them on. Maybe it's a copycat.

[fstbttms]

I have installed many thousands of Martyr anodes over the last 30 years. I can count on two or three fingers the number of anodes that have broken like that during installation. You got a defective one, that's all. It's not an indictment of every anode Martyr produces.

[donradcliffe]

Its an indictment when they will not stand behind their products. But you did buy it in knock-off land.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Its an indictment when they will not stand behind their products. But you did buy it in knock-off land.

Martyr simply standing by their return policy. Not only did the OP buy the anode in a foreign country, but he couldn't even produce a reciept. How far should Martyr bend over to replace a $10 anode?

[skipperpete]

That looks like the mismatch mentioned upthread or a failure of the internal copper button to collapse in a timely manner. Every haulout has a bin of old anodes and often an enterprising worker will melt down the remains and cast new anodes …. Usually teardrops or blocks but in the land of the fake Rolex and counterfeit engine oil a fake martyr is possible.
Even pure Zinc is notoriously fragile, engine pencil anodes often break during the most cautious tightening.