Electrolysis – Good for People…Bad for Yachts

FORT LAUDERDALE BOAT SHOW

The recent Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show arrives.  FLIBS again delights.

We had the pleasure of taking a few of our best private luxury yacht charter clients (and dear friends) for a stroll along the docks.  The couple had recently completed the construction of another home on a lot overlooking the water.  They wanted to purchase a boat for weekend family outings.

AVAILABLE SMALL YACHT OPTIONS FOR PURCHASE

We looked at the latest offerings from a few companies, for instance, Germany’s Fjord Yachts, the innovative expandable-deck boats by Italy’s Evo Yachts, and the trendy Holland-designed boats of VanDutch.

THAT’S IT!

The model that really caught the attention of our friends was a sleek, aluminum-hull day cruiser. This yacht is built by Vanquish Yachts.  It is the Vanquish VQ54.  The boat is simply stunning. There is no other way to describe it.

We stood on the dock discussing the boat and the available color options.  A passerby stopped and gazed at the boat.  “Beautiful,” he exclaimed. “Too bad it’s made out of aluminum – electrolysis is bad for boats.”   

As the man walked away, our friends seemed a bit confused.  “What’s wrong with electrolysis?” asked the wife.  “It’s a great way to remove unwanted hair!” 

“It’s a little different with boats,”  we said.  We then explained marine electrolysis, and the possible damage it can cause to a boat or yacht.

ELECTROLYSIS FOR HUMANS VS FOR BOATS

For humans, Medical Electrolysis is a clinical method of removing individual hairs from a person’s face or body. A device is used to destroy the growth center of hair with chemical or heat energy.

For boats, Marine Electrolysis is the result of potential current existing between two different objects. It is often caused by stray electrical current, and can be extremely destructive (causes corrosion) on boats made out of aluminum.

The results generated by medical electrolysis are all positive – people can remove unwanted hair, and it is a permanent fix.  With marine electrolysis, the results are not so good –  and if not caught quickly, the corrosive effects to an aluminum boat can cause great damage (holes, water leaking into the boat, etc.), and require expensive repairs.

WHAT ELSE IS BAD FOR BOATS?

Aluminum boats are also susceptible to another related culprit.  This culprit is Galvanic Corrosion.  This can occur when two dissimilar metals come into contact with an electrolyte and create a natural electrical current. Salt water can work as the perfect catalyst for galvanic corrosion.

GALVANIC CORROSION

Examples of galvanic corrosion include:

• Using dissimilar metals on the vessel that come into contact with the salt water, like steel bolts or copper-based bottom paint on an aluminum hull.

• Mixing different types of bottom paint on the same vessel.

• Mooring boats with incompatible hull construction next to each other, such as a steel vessel moored immediately next to aluminum vessel.

QUESTION FROM BOAT BUYERS

Our experienced clients and friends then asked,

“If aluminum has so many problems, why are expensive private luxury yacht charter vessels like Feadship and Heesen yachts built out of aluminum?”

The answer is simple.  Aluminum is light, but strong (think of airplanes).  Aluminum yachts can be built to any size versus yachts made from molds.  This allows great flexibility and customization that can’t be as easily achieve with fiberglass and other composites.  As to the corrosion issues, manufacturers can take preventative steps to reduce and even eliminate the threats of marine electrolysis.  Yachts are fitted with monitoring systems which constantly check for stray electrical current, as well as anti-corrosion anodes to negate electrical issues below the waterline.

DO I WANT ELECTROLYSIS NOW?

So, while someday you may want medical electrolysis to look and feel your best, you most definitely do not want marine electrolysis – ever…

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY – CHARTER STARTER

Thinking about buying a yacht?  Take advantage of our “Try Before You Buy” program and rent the yacht for an extended “test drive.”  Do this during your own private luxury yacht charter vacation.  Up to 50% of the charter fee can be applied toward the purchase of the same yacht model.

HOW TO BOOK A YACHT CHARTER

In conclusion, give charter a try before planning a yacht purchase. For more information about private luxury yacht charters or purchasing a yacht through the 1-800 Yacht Charters’ Try Before You Buy Program, email 1-800 Yacht Charters at  info@1800yachtcharters.com or call us at 305-720-7245. #yachtforsale  #buyaboat #yachtcharter

This entry was posted in News Frequently Asked Questions Educational and tagged aluminum hull, yacht sales, fiberglass hull, luxury yacht charter, buy a boat, Try Before You Buy Program, fiberglass vs aluminum, Electrolysis, medical electrolysis, yacht sales broker, Vanquish, hair removal, VQ54, galvanic corrosion, Vanquish Yachts, yacht test drive, private luxury yacht charter, Fjord Yachts, Evo Yachts, VanDutch, Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show

About Jana Sheeder

Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters. Providing The Superyacht Experience(R) since 1976. Private luxury yacht charter vacations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, South Pacific, South Florida, Miami and The Keys, Italian Rivera, Belize. Megayacht charter company focused on generosity, Pay it Forward, Random Acts of Kindness, Giftivism, giving back to the ocean, to the needy, and the environment with every superyachting charter. Providing eco-friendly alternatives while on yacht charters and known for 6-star customer service, experience, and generosity. One of the original yacht charter companies.
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