What Is Marine Corrosion and Why Do Dry Bilge Systems Matter for Corrosion Control?
- Neptunian Sky
- Oct 5
- 3 min read
Marine corrosion is the gradual degradation of metals caused by chemical and electrochemical reactions in seawater. Corrosion is a major concern for recreational boats, shipping vessels, and offshore structures due to the highly conductive and reactive nature of saltwater. Marine corrosion occurs when metal surfaces react with environmental elements like oxygen, water, and salt. The process is accelerated in seawater because:
• Saltwater acts as an electrolyte, speeding up electron transfer between metal surfaces and oxygen.
•High humidity and salt spray create constant exposure to corrosive agents.
• Galvanic reactions occur when dissimilar metals are in contact, causing the more reactive metal to corrode faster.
There are four main types of marine corrosion found on boats:
• Uniform corrosion: Creates an even metal loss across surfaces, often underestimated but structurally dangerous over time.
• Pitting corrosion: Localized, deep holes that can lead to leaks or failures, often hidden under coatings or marine growth.
• Galvanic corrosion: This occurs when two different metals are electrically connected in seawater—one corrodes faster than the other.
• Crevice corrosion: Occurs in tight spaces like joints or under gaskets where stagnant seawater promotes corrosion.
Marine corrosion costs the boating industry an estimated $50–80 billion annually in repairs and replacements. For recreational boaters, it can mean compromised safety, reduced performance, and expensive downtime. What are some ways to protect your boat or mechanical equipment? You can:
• Use cathodic protection: Install sacrificial anodes (zinc or aluminum) to absorb corrosion on your hull or propeller.
• Apply marine-grade coatings: Epoxy primers and anti-fouling paints create a barrier against moisture and oxygen.
• Choose corrosion-resistant materials: Stainless steel, bronze, and certain composites resist marine corrosion better.
• Regular inspections and maintenance: Look for signs of rust, pitting, or coating damage, especially around bilges, prop shafts, and through-hull fittings.
For your bilge area, you can ensure proper placement of scuppers and drains to maintain dryness and eliminate crevices and overlapping joints where water can stagnate and promote crevice corrosion. A Dry Bilge System can significantly reduce or even stop corrosion in your boat’s bilge area by eliminating standing water, the primary catalyst for marine corrosion!
Corrosion thrives in moist, oxygen-rich environments, especially when saltwater is involved. Your boat’s bilge is one of the most vulnerable zones because:
• A bilge often retains shallow pools of water that traditional bilge pumps cannot remove.
• Trapped water promotes galvanic corrosion, electrolysis, and crevice corrosion, especially in metal-hulled boats or around fittings.
Bilge-B-Dry Dry Bilge System is designed to remove every last drop of bilge water—even from hard-to-reach compartments. Why does a Dry Bilge System matter for corrosion control? BILGE-B-DRY Dry Bilge System:
• Eliminates standing water and prevents metal degradation, mold, mildew and boat odor by getting to the source of standing water in bilge or cabin compartments.
• Stops galvanic and electrolysis damage, which can be especially critical for aluminum and steel hulls, where trapped water can cause pinholes or hull thinning.
• Protects mechanical components by creating dry conditions which extend the life of pumps, wiring, and thru-hull fittings.
• Uses low-volume diaphragm pumps with remote pickups to reach shallow or isolated pockets of water, especially in tight compartments.
• Can be plumbed into existing overboard drains, shower sump basins, or main bilge pump lines.
• Offers Mobile App connectivity and optional water sensors for smart monitoring.
Learn more about BILGE-B-DRY Dry Bilge System from Neptunian Sky at www.neptuniansky.com and enjoy excellent, responsive customer service from a veteran-owned and family operated small business!
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