Magnesium Anode for 2012 Yamaha AR190

[Richard Bares]

What I believe is the stock zinc anode on my 2012 Yamaha AR190 is about ready for a replacement. I was wondering if anyone has found someplace that sells magnesium anodes as I will only be in freshwater.

 

[BobJohnson]

I have rotax engines but same issue. Could not locate magnesium models for mine. Stock ones are 1” Dia 1/2 thick. So I bought 1” bar 12” long from amazon and will cut and drill holes in center to mount. Good luck finding some for yours.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I do not believe the stock anode is zinc it is magnesium or at least the ones I checked were all magnesium so check with Yamaha for a replacement I would think they have them available.

 

[Richard Bares]

I have a hard time believing that the stock anodes are magnesium. A lot of people on here are boating in saltwater and magnesium and saltwater don't mix well. I could believe they are aluminum. I don't understand why the material isn't listed on any OEM anodes I can find.

 

[Richard Bares]

I never even thought to actually look in my Owner's Manual. According to the manual it is an "Aluminum Alloy Anode". This makes sense since Aluminum is the happy medium for saltwater and freshwater.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

It's magnesium , I personally use zinc in salt water so I would suggest you add some zinc you can get those anyplace, in many shapes and sizes.

 

[biffdotorg]

My boat originally came from a salt environment, and I noticed the anodes were breaking down nicely. Does it really matter what the material is as long as it breaks down quicker than the pump itself? That's the whole purpose of an anode right?

I'm sure I could be way off base, as us freshwater guys hardly ever have the need to replace these things. I don't see them break down anywhere near as fast as the saltwater boats.

I plan on just ordering the Yamaha part and assume it will be an appropriate material. Maybe that's blind faith in the MFG. I will have to search a bit to see just how far a person should let them go before replacement.

Great topic guys, thanks for your input.

 

[natocamp55]

This site has Zinc, aluminum,Magnesium for just about any application...

Hull Zinc Anodes - Bolt-On

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

We actually have had a few previous discussions on this subject, some rather in depth as a matter of fact , so a search may reveal more interesting information. I run all salt water so I add zinc the original anode is magnesium I also believe there is a zinc anode inside the water jackets of the engine. either way my zinc anodes do well and I have already had to replace some of them I place them on the ride plate and on the pump housing.

 

[Richard Bares]

I have searched the site and haven't found a definitive answer, that's why i am asking again. I don't understand how you can be so certain that the anode is Magnesium when the Owner's manual says it's Aluminum Alloy. Magnesium in saltwater applications wouldn't be good at all and there would be a lot of issues which I haven't read about. Zinc is fine for saltwater applications, but from what I am reading Aluminum is better and Magnesium is best for freshwater although Aluminum is fine too. I'm not sure where my boat came from exactly as I bought it used from a dealership but the anode is at least 30% degraded, which is why i want to replace it before my first summer on the water. I was hoping to find an aftermarket magnesium anode that I didn't have to modify. It's looking like the best option is to go with the OEM anode which from anything I can find is Aluminum Alloy according to the manual.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

How Do Sacrificial Anodes Work? – BoatTech – BoatUS In previous posts I stated that I actually saw a sticker on the back of one It clearly said magnesium and that was when I realized that we all thought the anodes were zinc but we were wrong . So in salt water I use zinc .

 

[Richard Bares]

How Do Sacrificial Anodes Work? – BoatTech – BoatUS In previous posts I stated that I actually saw a sticker on the back of one It clearly said magnesium and that was when I realized that we all thought the anodes were zinc but we were wrong . So in salt water I use zinc .

I just received my new OEM anode in the mail. Using the "vinagar test" to determine magnesium vs aluminum I am 99.9% confident this is aluminum. Although not the best for freshwater I'm not overly concerned because I am not wet slipping and the old anode was only 25-30% down.

 

[Sbrown]

I just received my new OEM anode in the mail. Using the "vinagar test" to determine magnesium vs aluminum I am 99.9% confident this is aluminum. Although not the best for freshwater I'm not overly concerned because I am not wet slipping and the old anode was only 25-30% down.

I agree, from my research into this very topic before I put my boat into salt last year, the stock anodes are an aluminum alloy. I recommend staying with the aluminum alloy original ones unless you are boating in very, very clean fresh water, which is where magnesium works better. Some say if there is any pollution or contaminants in the fresh water, aluminum alloy seems to work better. Zinc, while commonly used years ago, is just not an environmentally conscientious choice for most people these days. Studies have shown that the cadmium in zinc anodes is bad for the environment.

 

[Gym]

You can also do a burn test for magnesium. Shave or drill off a couple of shavings from your old anode. Put a hot torch to it. If the shavings ignite into a brilliant white flame it's magnesium.