So which zinc anode do I need?
So you have just hauled your boat out of the water and you check the propellers, only to notice the anodes need to be replaced. You know that the propellers are Varifold folding propellers, whether it is a shaft or sail drive type propeller, the diameter and how many blades it has. However, there may not be much left of the Zinc anode to help with the identification. This page will help you determine which anode is it that you need.
Varifold Sail Drive Anode (VF2SDA)
The first Zinc anode is shown above and this fits the smaller sail drive type Varifolds. Two models are covered the VF70 and the VF108, two and three bladed propellers respectively. The anode is unique in that it consists of two horse shoe shaped anodes that fit into a machined groove on the side of the propeller hub. The anode is held in place by a stainless steel countersunk bold on either side of the hub to keep it flush and in place. More details of this zinc can be found on it’s page VF2SDA Saildrive zinc anode .
Varifold 3 and 4 blade propeller Zinc anode (VF3AN)
The second and probably most popular Zinc anode we sell is shown above; this is sometimes known as a “bullet Zinc” due to its shape. This anode primarily fits the 3 blade Varifold range (VF108) and covers the larger 3 blade sail drive units and also the shaft version of the propeller. The anode is also fitted to the smaller 4 blade propellers (VF120) which are less than 26″ in diameter. This Zinc anode is approximately 1.75″ in diameter and 1.75″ tall; it weighs just over 13 oz. The anode is fitted with a 0.5″ BSF thread to secure it to the anode holder. The anode holder at the top of this post is in fact the correct holder for this product. More details of this zinc can be found on it’s page VF3AN zinc anode.
Varifold 4 blade propeller Zinc anode (VF4AN)
The final Zinc anode commonly sold by us is the 4 blade anode shown above with its fastening bolt. The anode is intended for propellers over 26″ in diameter, known as the VF160 series of propellers. This anode is significantly larger than the 3 blade VF3AN anode and has a diameter of 2.64″ with a length of 2.64″ and weighs approximately 45oz. This Zinc anode also has an internal thread for attaching it to the propeller hub, but owing to its larger size, is fitted with an additional M8 x 60mm cap head bolt to secure it in place. More details of this zinc can be found on it’s page VF4AN zinc anode.
Larger Zinc anodes are available for propellers over 32″ or custom propellers, please contact us to enquire about these products on (757) 739-2050 or e-mail using the following link Email King Propulsion