Just had my boat hauled yesterday and the Prop is going to have to be replaced. Looks like Electrolysis got it but good. I have a diver every month that keeps my Zincs in place religiously. Apparently this isn't enough in our marina. The prop is only about 4 years old. Is there anything else I can do? Also, I'm having a new 3 blade made for the replacement. Turns out I have a 1" shaft and the 17" prop that the boat needs comes standard with a 1 1/4" bore. That means a custom order from the manufacturer that will take about 5 weeks. The guys at the prop shop did not like the idea of using a bushing to make up the quarter inch. No price difference on the custom order. Now I've either A) got to haul the boat again in 5 weeks, or B) change the prop with the boat in the water. How difficult is it to change the prop in the water? Any additional thoughts or advise on this would be appreciated.
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Rich: Have you considered a smaller prop? You can add one inch of pitch which will compensate for the 1" smaller diameter. This would be a good question for the prop shop. If you experience prop walk, this will help with the problem (may not correct it).
Rich: Have you considered a smaller prop? You can add one inch of pitch which will compensate for the 1" smaller diameter. This would be a good question for the prop shop. If you experience prop walk, this will help with the problem (may not correct it).
Zinc corrosin
I have been replacing zincs every 60 days and have been told that this is too often. It should be on the order of 4 to 6 months. I figured that the zincs went bad from my heater use and having Xmas lights up for the holidays. However, I also have been told that dock masters have the responsibility to test their marinas for "hot boats". So far, the diver has not told me that my prop is damaged. Now, you guys have me worried! John Richard s/v Jack's Place
I have been replacing zincs every 60 days and have been told that this is too often. It should be on the order of 4 to 6 months. I figured that the zincs went bad from my heater use and having Xmas lights up for the holidays. However, I also have been told that dock masters have the responsibility to test their marinas for "hot boats". So far, the diver has not told me that my prop is damaged. Now, you guys have me worried! John Richard s/v Jack's Place
16" Prop
Steve, Talked to the guys at the prop shop. I have to motor quite often against the wind and currents to go north from San Diego. They advised against the smaller prop due to this. They're actually taking off an inch of pitch off on the new prop to compensate for it being a 3 blade instead of a 2 blade. Thanks for the tip. It was worth exploring. I'll just get my diver to put the new prop on when it arrives and limp along until then.
Steve, Talked to the guys at the prop shop. I have to motor quite often against the wind and currents to go north from San Diego. They advised against the smaller prop due to this. They're actually taking off an inch of pitch off on the new prop to compensate for it being a 3 blade instead of a 2 blade. Thanks for the tip. It was worth exploring. I'll just get my diver to put the new prop on when it arrives and limp along until then.
hot dock
Rich, are you close to any steel fishing boats? Those guys are notorious for using a cheap car-type battery charger and fryng off their neighbor's zincs. I was in a situation like that in Monterey where I had to change the zincs every month. At my last marina I was close to a 100-foot vintage yatch built of iron, and I went through two props in three years. (It didn't help that our boats grounded into the silt in minus tides, which turned the whole dock into a collosal battery with the boats serving as anodes.) Don't let anyone tell you that your zincs should be lasting six months. That's fine for a boat that's daysailed once a month for a few hours, but boats that do a lot more charging need more frequent changes. I live aboard my 410 and anchor out five or six days every month, year round. My house bank is 720 amp hours and my charger cycles to 100 amps. I use between four and six shaft zincs per year.
Rich, are you close to any steel fishing boats? Those guys are notorious for using a cheap car-type battery charger and fryng off their neighbor's zincs. I was in a situation like that in Monterey where I had to change the zincs every month. At my last marina I was close to a 100-foot vintage yatch built of iron, and I went through two props in three years. (It didn't help that our boats grounded into the silt in minus tides, which turned the whole dock into a collosal battery with the boats serving as anodes.) Don't let anyone tell you that your zincs should be lasting six months. That's fine for a boat that's daysailed once a month for a few hours, but boats that do a lot more charging need more frequent changes. I live aboard my 410 and anchor out five or six days every month, year round. My house bank is 720 amp hours and my charger cycles to 100 amps. I use between four and six shaft zincs per year.
Change Zincs about every 2 months
John, I've been changing(replacing) zincs about every 2-3 months. The boatyard is going to add two more zincs to the bottom of the boat. They're putting them on the strut. They tell me this won't help a great deal since the shaft is isolated from the stut by a bushing but it will at least protect the strut. I'm going to try to figure out if it's me, the marina or another nearby boat causing the problem. Thanks to everyone for the great information and suggestions.
John, I've been changing(replacing) zincs about every 2-3 months. The boatyard is going to add two more zincs to the bottom of the boat. They're putting them on the strut. They tell me this won't help a great deal since the shaft is isolated from the stut by a bushing but it will at least protect the strut. I'm going to try to figure out if it's me, the marina or another nearby boat causing the problem. Thanks to everyone for the great information and suggestions.
Rich FYI:
..a YC member purchased a 1994 Hunter 40.5 in San Diego. I do not know what marina it was in, but it tossed a blade on the way to the inspection haul out and wound up with a shaft, strut and prop replacement. All were shot. If you were having regular zinc service, something around your dock must be really bad. Suggest you have a specialist check it out. Good luck. Rick D.
..a YC member purchased a 1994 Hunter 40.5 in San Diego. I do not know what marina it was in, but it tossed a blade on the way to the inspection haul out and wound up with a shaft, strut and prop replacement. All were shot. If you were having regular zinc service, something around your dock must be really bad. Suggest you have a specialist check it out. Good luck. Rick D.
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