Anode gasket. Alpha drive

[Sled600]

I have a 2004 2100sd. 5.0 with an alpha drive. I took it out of hibernation and I am doing some little things to get it ready to go in the water for the summer.

One of the projects was changing out the fuzzy anodes. Not a big deal....but the first time I have ever done it. I got the kit and noticed a gasket looking thing.

Well.... When I removed the anode on the bottom of the gimbal housing...I learned where the gasket goes....

But..... The one that has been installed..assuminging from the factory was askew. One bolt was through one hole...one not at all. The gasket was rotated about 60 degrees around the one bolt.

I put the new one in correctly, but what does that gasket do, and it has been running with virtually none there for years. Will that hurt anything? Or is there something I should look at before it goes in the water?

I moor it in fresh water. But it's previous life was used in salt, but trailered each time.

Any opinions?

Here is a picture.... But it isn't very good. You can see the diamond shaped gasket askew.

Thanks

Rocky