Frequently Asked Questions

Answer A1:  Our e-commerce site is implemented by Verizon Small Business Essentials.  Your credit card information is sent encrypted to their computers from your browser via HTTPS.   After your order is processed, no credit card information is retained by either Verizon Small Business Essentials or BoatZincs.com.

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Answer A2:  Yes, we accept debit cards for purchases online.   However, please be aware of the following limitations imposed by your debit card issuer as explained by the Federal Trade Commission:

"Customers who use debit cards for on-line transactions will find that when they place their order, their debit card is “authorized/blocked” for the exact amount of the transaction. When the vendor ships the order, the customer’s debit card is credited with the sale. The authorize/block is a common banking procedure. It may look like two separate transactions if you view your debit card account on-line immediately after the vendor ships your order. These two transactions most likely will resolve themselves in a day or two and the initial authorized/blocked amount will disappear. Sometimes, it may take up to 15 days, especially if you changed your order after placing it and the credited amount is different. If you have limited funds in your checking account, overdrafts may occur."

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Answer A3:   You’re probably wondering “How can you charge so much less?” than other marine product stores and still be in business, right?

First of all, we sell only boat anodes. We specialize in the distribution of just one type of marine product. We know boat anodes A to Z. This product knowledge makes us very customer-responsive and cost-efficient. Need an anchor for your boat? Well, go back to Google.

Second, we buy tons of boat anodes. They arrive at our shipping dock transported on tractor trailer trucks dispatched from the foundries. We use our volume purchasing power to get you the lowest possible prices.

And, third, we run a tight ship. We spend our marketing budget carefully to ensure every advertising dollar pays for itself. We streamline our order processing system by asking you to enter your own order (thanks!). And we don't waste money on unnecessary things like mailing out product catalogues.

The result... We're proud to tell you we're a small but profitable company that expects to be in business for many years to come. This is due to having value-conscious customers like you.

We’re passionate about our boat anode business and we hope it shows.

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Answer A4:  Yes.  By default, we ship all orders complete.   If you require a partial shipment, let us know.

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Answer A5:  Yes.  Select "Customer Pickup” on your order as the shipping method and tell us when you need it.  We’ll have it waiting for you at our warehouse at 569 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749.

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Answer A6:  Yes, please call anytime!  We take many, many telephone orders and can be reached at 978-841-9978.

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Answer S1:  If you need quicker service, those options are available on the Shopping Cart page under Shipping Calculator. You must first enter your Zip Code and Country. Under Shipping Method, select an option from the drop-down box, then click apply.

PLEASE NOTE: EXPEDITED ORDERS PLACED AFTER 4 PM ON FRIDAY WILL SHIP OUT ON MONDAY.  BoatZincs.com, Inc. is closed on Saturday and Sunday and does not ship.

Shipping fees will apply if you select expedited service and your order is over $100.00. You must click APPLY to see the rates.

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Answer S2:  We ship to Canada, Europe, Asia, and many other locations outside of the United States. To calculate the international shipping rate, once you place the items you want in your shopping cart, scroll down the page until you see the Shipping Calculator. Select your country from the drop-down list, add a zip/postal code, and select either International Mail or UPS Worldwide Expedited service under Shipping Method, then click APPLY.   We also offer DHL. Select DHL -- "email for shipping rate" under Shipping Method.  We will calculate the cost of DHL shipping for you based on the items in your order and email you the rate to be added to your order.

Shipping fees do apply for international service. You must click APPLY to see the rates.

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Answer S3:  Immediately after you submit your order an Order Confirmation will be sent to your email address. You will then receive a second email that confirms the shipment and provides a tracking number that can be used to monitor the shipment's progress at at www.usps.com or www.ups.com. USPS tracking numbers start with "9405", while UPS Ground tracking numbers start with "1Z0A". International mail packages start with "CJ" or "HJ".

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Answer S4:  Yes, we are a store in the literal sense.  We maintain an extensive physical inventory of every product we sell (except Commercial Anodes which ship direct from our foundries) so that we can ship immediately to you.  Should we run out of a particular item, we immediately list it on our website.  If you have any questions or concerns about our ability to ship your order, call us at 978-841-9978.

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Answer S5:  United Parcel Service (UPS) specializes in the reliable delivery of packages like ours.  Late 2004, the United States Postal Service (USPS) introduced a package delivery service called ‘Priority Mail Flat Rate Box’ that many of our customers find attractive.

As to which carrier to use – it’s your choice, not ours (unless of course you place an order over $100 with free shipping - then we ship the fastest and most economical way).  During checkout, you can compare the shipping fees.  Here are the pros and cons of each service as we see them:

UPS Ground

+ Long history of reliable package deliveries
+ Often less expensive for orders going less than 1,000 miles
+ Often less expensive for orders over $100.00
+ Late-day ordering (pick-up at 5:00 PM ET)
+ Online tracking of packages at www.ups.com
— No Saturday deliveries (M-F only)
— No PO Box deliveries

USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Box

+ Often less expensive for orders under $100.00 and going over 1,000 miles
+ Often faster delivery for orders going over 2,000 miles
— New parcel service implemented by letter carriers
— Restrictive packaging -- only a few different box sizes permitted
— Harder to track package until it is delivered

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Answer S6:  It is our policy to ship every order complete within 24 hours of its receipt.  Orders received by us before 4:00 PM ET ship that day.

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Answer S7:  USPS Priority Mail is the best option for shipping to Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.  From your checkout page, select "AK", "GU", "HI", “PR” or “VI” as the State and “United States” as the Country.  This will allow you to complete your order.

If you prefer to use one of UPS' expedited services, that's fine, but you must enter your address a little differently.  See chart below for examples:

CITY	STATE	COUNTRY TO SELECT	UPS NEXT DAY AIR	UPS 2ND DAY AIR	UPS WORLDWIDE EXPEDITED
Valdez	AK	United States	X	X
Guam	GU	Guam			X
Honolulu	HI	United States	X	X
San Juan	PR	Puerto Rico	X	X
St. John	VI	Virgin Islands (US)			X
St. Croix	VI	Virgin Islands (US)			X
St. Thomas	VI	Virgin Islands (US)			X

Other expedited shipping options include USPS Express Mail, FedEx and DHL.
Email us for a quote.

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Answer S8:  Unfortunately, International Mail service to customers in Mexico has proven to be very very unreliable, so we ship to Mexico only using the UPS Worldwide service.  However, arrangements for delivery via FedEx or DHL can also be made by simply contacting our office by phone or email for a price quote.

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Answer S9:   Free Shipping Policy:   To receive free shipping, orders must be $100.00 net and ship to an address in the United States. For orders that qualify for free shipping, we reserve the right to select the most economical shipping method, using either UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail. Expedited shipments and shipments outside of the United States do not qualify for free shipping. Commercial anodes and special orders do not qualify for free shipping.

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Answer T1:  Yes!  Sacrificial anodes must be impurity-free to properly work, and all our anodes are made only from Mil-Spec alloys.  Click here to learn more about the importance of Mil-Spec A-18001K for corrosion protection of your boat.  Our zinc anodes are also compliant to ASTM B418 Type 1.  Our Aluminum anodes conform to Mil-Spec A-24779(SH), and our Magnesium anodes conform to Mil-Spec A-21412(SH).

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Answer T2:  There are two dimensions to this topic.

First, the larger the surface area of an anode, the higher its electrical current capacity and galvanic holding voltage.  For most boats, you want your anode surface area to be sufficient to maintain all underwater metals between -850 mV and -1100 mV relative to a silver/silver-chloride reference electrode.

Second, the longevity of a sacrificial anode is a function of its weight -- the greater the weight the longer its life.

Due to differences in water salinity, temperature, stray currents, and other external influences, you only know the right weight by actual trial.  Periodically inspect your zincs, and when they have corroded to under 50% their original weight they should be replaced.  To lengthen the replacement interval, increase the weight of zincs used.

If you have a steel or aluminum hull vessel that operates in salt water, use our Calculation Formula and/or give us a call.   We've designed hundreds of corrosion protection solutions for vessels and underwater metal structures such as docks, boat lifts, and retaining walls.

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Answer T3:  The best way is to measure it.  With a silver/silver chloride reference electrode it is relatively easy to get highly accurate voltage readings from all your underwater metals and determine if they are corroding or not.  Learn more here.

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Answer T4:  Make sure your anodes have good physical and electrical connections.  An anode with a poor electrical connection cannot provide corrosion protection.  Clean the area where you anode will be mounted by lightly sanding or wire brushing.  Also, do not paint your anodes as they cannot perform unless exposed to water.  Covering anodes with bottom paint renders them useless.

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Answer T5:  For corrosion protection, it makes no difference where you locate your shaft anodes along the length of a propeller shaft.  Any location is perfectly fine.  However, the manufacturers of propeller shafts recommend zinc anodes be placed the distance of "one hand width" (i.e., 4 inches) in front of the aft cutlass bearing.  This ensures adequate water flow through the bearing and, secondly, minimizes the shaft anode(s) weight contributing to shaft vibration on high performance boats.

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Answer T6:  The intrinsic characteristics of the three different anode metal alloys used in the marine environment are listed below:

Anode Alloy	Voltage(1)	Density	Energy Capacity	Relative Life to Zinc
Zinc (Mil-A-18001K)	-1040mV	0.258 lbs/in3	368 A-h/lb	100%
Aluminum (Mil-A-24779SH)	-1100mV	0.105 lbs/in3	1108 A-h/lb	120%
Magnesium (Mil-A-21412)	-1600 mV	0.063 lbs/in3	500 A-h/lb	25%
(1) Open circuit galvanic voltage produced relative to a silver/silver-chloride electrode in seawater.

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Answer T7:  Your choice of anodes requires consideration of three issues:

1. The kinds of underwater metals on your boat (e.g., stainless steel, bronze, aluminum, mild steel);
2. The kinds of water you operate your boat in (e.g., salt, brackish and/or fresh); and,
3. If your boat can galvanically couple to other boats around it (i.e., connected to AC shorepower without a galvanic isolator).

For vessels with AC shorepower connections and no galvanic isolation, use Chart A (pdf). For vessels with no AC shorepower connections, or AC shorepower connections with galvanic isolation, use Chart B (pdf).

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Answer T8:  The purpose of a bonding system is to ensure that metals on your boat are at the same voltage potential.  This provides two major benefits:

1. Electrical safety for the above water metals, and
2. Corrosion protection for the underwater metals.

When bonded, underwater metals cannot be damaged by stray electrical currents originating from within the boat (e.g., a defective bilge pump, float switch or wire splice).  When the bonding system is connected to sacrificial anodes, all bonded underwater metals are then protected against galvanic corrosion.

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Answer T9:  When your boat is on dry land, it’s simple.  Use a digital ohmmeter with very long leads.  Connect one lead to any ‘underwater’ metal in your bonding system (e.g, hull zinc anode).  Then successively connect the other lead to each and every other underwater metal connected to your bonding system and verify a reading of 1 ohm or less (ideally a perfect circuit near 0.01 ohm.)  Do not include the resistance of the ohmmeter leads themselves.

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Answer T10:  The hard scale commonly found on the surface of zinc anodes is Zinc Carbonate (ZnCO3).  Carbonate (CO3) occurs in all bodies of water and originates from atmospheric carbon dioxide gas (CO2) naturally dissolving into the water.  In general you do not need to be concerned about this scale as it only affects the maximum output amperage of the anode, not the anode’s required trickle output necessary to maintain effective corrosion protection.  Zinc Carbonate is water insoluble, but can be readily removed by either alkalies or acids.

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Answer T11:  Zinc anodes used in fresh water will over time develop a hard coating that causes the anode to become inactive and ineffective.  This is known as 'passivation'.


Aluminum and magnesium anodes offer superior self-cleaning performance and are your best choice for boats docked/moored in fresh water.

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Answer T12:  In freshwater the electrical conductivity of ions is 50+ times lower than seawater.   This means that magnesium anodes need to be distributed underwater around the hull of a metal vessel for them to provide effective corrosion protection.  Distributing anodes will achieve a much higher level of corrosion protection than simply bulk installing them on a boat's transom (a technique which works fine for most pleasurecraft in seawater).   The conductivity of freshwater is highly variable as it is a function of the concentration of dissolved solids produced by the underlying geology.   So, envision an individual magnesium anode in “freshwater” as offering a 2-meter radius of protection to the underwater metal that it's bonded to.   For the last 18 years, BoatZincs.com's rule-of-thumb recommendation is to place magnesium anodes around the perimeter of a metal vessel no further than 4 meters (12 feet) apart.

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Answer R1:  Customer Satisfaction is the highest priority job here at BoatZincs.com. It really is, as without satisfied customers we indeed have nothing.

If you are not 100% satisfied with any of our merchandise for any reason simply return it to us within 21 days and we’ll issue you a full refund (less shipping). The refund is for return of merchandise only and does not include any shipping charges you have incurred, including our cost of "free shipping" if the balance of your order falls under our $100.00 free shipping policy.

After 21 days, we will issue a store credit towards a subsequent purchase from our store. Please list your order number on the front of any package you return in the form of RMA [Order Number].

Anodes that are returned may be assessed a 20% restocking fee to cover the costs associated with packaging, materials, and credit card processing fees. The actual cost of outbound shipping will also be deducted from any refund. If a package is refused, return shipping will be deducted from the amount refunded.

Please return the anodes to us at:

Returns Department (RMA # [Order Number])
BoatZincs.com, Inc.
569 Main Street
Hudson, MA 01749

Please Note: Commercial anodes and special orders are not returnable.

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Answer R2:  BoatZincs.com offers "Free Shipping For Orders Over $100.00". When an order over $100.00 is place, BoatZincs.com pay the cost of standard USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground out-bound shipping. When you return items from this order, even though you paid return shipping, BoatZincs.com still paid the original out-bound shipping.

If your order falls below the $100.00 threshold for “free shipping”, BoatZincs.com will reduce your refund by the cost of the initial out-bound shipping.

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Answer R3:  Returned merchandise must be in its original condition. Anodes that have oxidized due to exposure to water or weather may not be returned. We will not issue a refund for oxidized anodes that have been returned as they are unsaleable.

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Answer R4:  Commercial anodes and special orders are not returnable.

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