Help defective 3 D Tender

[Anthonynurse]

Hi, I would really appreciate some help please. We bought a 3D Tender 310 ultimate for our son , it has been on a pontoon in the water with the engine for 10 weeks since new. When we pulled it out for the winter we noticed that the powder coating was either bubbling or peeling off.
The dealer has told us that we should have had a zinc anode on the hull ( didnt tell us at the time of purchase ) if we are keeping the boat in the water.
Please could someone advise if this is right ??
Many thanks in advance.

[treerat]

Speak to the guys at Bridger Marine, Exeter - they'll know.

[Anthonynurse]

Great thanks for your help

[goearth]

Any boat of any type MUST have anodes on if it is kept in the water for any length of time.. The dealer should have told you this. These anodes are sacrificial - that is they wear away instead of any metal on your boat. Depending on the type of water where you keep your RIB (salt water or fresh water) you would need different metals - your local chandlery can advise. if you are not sure, feel free to PM me.

[paulbrown22]

Originally Posted by goearth

Any boat of any type MUST have anodes on if it is kept in the water for any length of time...

Presumably any metal boat, or boat with metal fittings/attachments? i.e. there's no reason to have an anode on a e.g. GRP/moulded hull, only on the engine, if it has one?

Regardless of anodes, I'm always personally slightly dubious about coatings on aluminium as well for marine use, especially on a hull living permanently in salt water. If a proper grade of aluminium is used in it's construction and welded in an appropriate environment, the aluminium should oxidise and self protect, and not need fancy coatings. Any minor chip or scratch instantly means the coating is breached, and unless fairly quickly (and properly) repaired, the damage will spread as water and air get in underneath it.

We run a big aluminium bluewater sailing yacht and a 16" aluminium dinghy as a harbour run around, and purposefully have as little coating and paint as possible! (we do have plenty of anodes as well though)