To the group,

I have a Merc 5.7 EFI Alpha installed on my 2002 Bowrider.

While cleaning up the outdrive I noticed a blank screw socked on the
cavitation plate.

After researching further, I believe this is where a Trim Tab Anode is
to be located. I don't think one was ever installed by the dealer.

My question:

1) Is this something I ned to install? (I am only running in fresh
water, and the dealer knew that)

2) Is there some other benefit to this gadget? (I also read something
about counteracting propeller torque. What is that?

Thanks for any advice.

Ken (newbie boater since 2002)

On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 20:37:55 GMT, Ken H
wrote:

To the group,

I have a Merc 5.7 EFI Alpha installed on my 2002 Bowrider.

While cleaning up the outdrive I noticed a blank screw socked on the
cavitation plate.

After researching further, I believe this is where a Trim Tab Anode is
to be located. I don't think one was ever installed by the dealer.

My question:

1) Is this something I ned to install? (I am only running in fresh
water, and the dealer knew that)

2) Is there some other benefit to this gadget? (I also read something
about counteracting propeller torque. What is that?

Thanks for any advice.

Ken (newbie boater since 2002)

It depends on where the "screw socket" is, Ken. On my Alpha, there is
an anode on the "front" end of the anti-cavitation plate. There is
also a small "fin" on the "back" end of the plate, directly over the
prop, to counter-act prop torque (steering). I have seen more than
one of the "fins" fall off, due to vibration. It won't cost you much
to replace it, and it will eliminate any "pull" in the steering wheel.
It also acts as an anode.

noah

Courtesy of Lee Yeaton,
See the boats of rec.boats
www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats

Ken H wrote:

To the group,

I have a Merc 5.7 EFI Alpha installed on my 2002 Bowrider.

While cleaning up the outdrive I noticed a blank screw socked on the
cavitation plate.

After researching further, I believe this is where a Trim Tab Anode is
to be located. I don't think one was ever installed by the dealer.

My question:

1) Is this something I ned to install? (I am only running in fresh
water, and the dealer knew that)

2) Is there some other benefit to this gadget? (I also read something
about counteracting propeller torque. What is that?

Thanks for any advice.

Ken (newbie boater since 2002)

You don't need it if you have power steering. Which I am sure you do.

Capt Jack R..

noah wrote:

On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 20:37:55 GMT, Ken H
wrote:


To the group,

I have a Merc 5.7 EFI Alpha installed on my 2002 Bowrider.

While cleaning up the outdrive I noticed a blank screw socked on the
cavitation plate.

After researching further, I believe this is where a Trim Tab Anode is
to be located. I don't think one was ever installed by the dealer.

My question:

1) Is this something I ned to install? (I am only running in fresh
water, and the dealer knew that)

2) Is there some other benefit to this gadget? (I also read something
about counteracting propeller torque. What is that?

Thanks for any advice.

Ken (newbie boater since 2002)


It depends on where the "screw socket" is, Ken. On my Alpha, there is
an anode on the "front" end of the anti-cavitation plate. There is
also a small "fin" on the "back" end of the plate, directly over the
prop, to counter-act prop torque (steering). I have seen more than
one of the "fins" fall off, due to vibration. It won't cost you much
to replace it, and it will eliminate any "pull" in the steering wheel.
It also acts as an anode.

noah

Courtesy of Lee Yeaton,
See the boats of rec.boats
www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats

They don't install the small fin if the boat has power steering. My 95
cuddy with a 5.0lx Alpha 1 drive is the same way. No fin and no pulling
to one side.

Capt Jack R..

Thanks Capt, Noah,

Yeah. After investigating futher I do have a 'finless' anode installed.

And my boat is power steering so, all is now making sense.

Thanks!

Ken (concerns alleviated)

Jack Redington wrote:

noah wrote:

On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 20:37:55 GMT, Ken H
wrote:


To the group,

I have a Merc 5.7 EFI Alpha installed on my 2002 Bowrider.

While cleaning up the outdrive I noticed a blank screw socked on the
cavitation plate.

After researching further, I believe this is where a Trim Tab Anode
is to be located. I don't think one was ever installed by the dealer.

My question:

1) Is this something I ned to install? (I am only running in fresh
water, and the dealer knew that)

2) Is there some other benefit to this gadget? (I also read
something about counteracting propeller torque. What is that?

Thanks for any advice.

Ken (newbie boater since 2002)



It depends on where the "screw socket" is, Ken. On my Alpha, there is
an anode on the "front" end of the anti-cavitation plate. There is
also a small "fin" on the "back" end of the plate, directly over the
prop, to counter-act prop torque (steering). I have seen more than
one of the "fins" fall off, due to vibration. It won't cost you much
to replace it, and it will eliminate any "pull" in the steering wheel.
It also acts as an anode.

noah

Courtesy of Lee Yeaton,
See the boats of rec.boats
www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats


They don't install the small fin if the boat has power steering. My 95
cuddy with a 5.0lx Alpha 1 drive is the same way. No fin and no
pulling to one side.

Capt Jack R..

On Wed, 06 Aug 2003 23:11:41 -0400, Jack Redington
wrote:

noah wrote:

On Mon, 04 Aug 2003 20:37:55 GMT, Ken H
wrote:


To the group,

I have a Merc 5.7 EFI Alpha installed on my 2002 Bowrider.

While cleaning up the outdrive I noticed a blank screw socked on the
cavitation plate.

After researching further, I believe this is where a Trim Tab Anode is
to be located. I don't think one was ever installed by the dealer.

My question:

1) Is this something I ned to install? (I am only running in fresh
water, and the dealer knew that)

2) Is there some other benefit to this gadget? (I also read something
about counteracting propeller torque. What is that?

Thanks for any advice.

Ken (newbie boater since 2002)


It depends on where the "screw socket" is, Ken. On my Alpha, there is
an anode on the "front" end of the anti-cavitation plate. There is
also a small "fin" on the "back" end of the plate, directly over the
prop, to counter-act prop torque (steering). I have seen more than
one of the "fins" fall off, due to vibration. It won't cost you much
to replace it, and it will eliminate any "pull" in the steering wheel.
It also acts as an anode.

noah

Courtesy of Lee Yeaton,
See the boats of rec.boats
www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats

They don't install the small fin if the boat has power steering. My 95
cuddy with a 5.0lx Alpha 1 drive is the same way. No fin and no pulling
to one side.

Capt Jack R..

....learned something new.
Thanks Capt. Jack.
noah

Courtesy of Lee Yeaton,
See the boats of rec.boats
www.TheBayGuide.com/rec.boats