One week the shaft zincs were there and the next they were both gone (with a couple of hours of hard motoring in between. Seems like I am getting about 6 months of life out of them with the boat at Shilshole Marina. Is this the norm?
Puget Sounders and your zincs
- Thread starter Seattle Scott
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Puget Sound zincs
Scott, I replaced my shaft zincs in March with about one half of two left. They were installed November 2003. However, the boat moved to salt water in March 2004. So I got about a year of use. I should say too that I don't use shore power that often. Depending on the boats around you I could see that having a to do with longevity. One other thing, the Port of Everett marina typically has quite a layer of fresh water on the surface thanks to the Snohomish river. I don't know how much these factors would add or subtract when compaired to Shilshole. I hear galvanic isolators work well in preserving your zincs. Good luck
Scott, I replaced my shaft zincs in March with about one half of two left. They were installed November 2003. However, the boat moved to salt water in March 2004. So I got about a year of use. I should say too that I don't use shore power that often. Depending on the boats around you I could see that having a to do with longevity. One other thing, the Port of Everett marina typically has quite a layer of fresh water on the surface thanks to the Snohomish river. I don't know how much these factors would add or subtract when compaired to Shilshole. I hear galvanic isolators work well in preserving your zincs. Good luck
Stray electrical currents
My understanding is that Shilshole is known for having a lot of stray electrical currents which is hard on zincs. With the new remodel, they are hoping to fix the problems. Elliot Bay is supposed to be better, but all of this is hearsay. W
My understanding is that Shilshole is known for having a lot of stray electrical currents which is hard on zincs. With the new remodel, they are hoping to fix the problems. Elliot Bay is supposed to be better, but all of this is hearsay. W
Elliott Bay the worst
Hi Scott - I feel your pain. I have no trouble keeping zincs whole in Lake Union, but my summers at Elliott Bay marina eat zincs completely in a matter of 3 months. It depends on where your boat is located; I believe it's neighbors with stray current eating the zincs. 6 months at Shilshole is not unheard of - best to keep an eye on them (hire a diver) or risk a swiss cheese propeller! Best, Trevor
Hi Scott - I feel your pain. I have no trouble keeping zincs whole in Lake Union, but my summers at Elliott Bay marina eat zincs completely in a matter of 3 months. It depends on where your boat is located; I believe it's neighbors with stray current eating the zincs. 6 months at Shilshole is not unheard of - best to keep an eye on them (hire a diver) or risk a swiss cheese propeller! Best, Trevor
Prop protecting zinc!
We've had our boat in Lake Union for 5 years. Our prop seems to be doing an excellent job of protecting our zincs! Both the prop zinc, and shaft zinc are at least 85% good after a year, while the prop has many pits and blisters in that time. The strut also has a slight pinkish tinge to it. I don't generally have shore power connected, and it is fresh water. I'm pretty disappointed, as this is a $2400 Auto Prop. I use a wire brush wheel to smooth it out, but there is still some shallow pitting left. Even so, I should still get many more years of use, but with a less than smooth finish.
We've had our boat in Lake Union for 5 years. Our prop seems to be doing an excellent job of protecting our zincs! Both the prop zinc, and shaft zinc are at least 85% good after a year, while the prop has many pits and blisters in that time. The strut also has a slight pinkish tinge to it. I don't generally have shore power connected, and it is fresh water. I'm pretty disappointed, as this is a $2400 Auto Prop. I use a wire brush wheel to smooth it out, but there is still some shallow pitting left. Even so, I should still get many more years of use, but with a less than smooth finish.
Corrosion follow up.
Had my boat hauled Friday. Checked the zincs and prop. After two years the Zincs were about 60% gone. The prop did not have as much corrosion and pitting as I had imagined. Of course things are never as bad as I imagine they will be. I cleaned the prop with a wire wheel in a drill. Turned out OK, but with many small pitted areas about a couple thousands of an inch deep. I didn't get a good before picture, but have attached an after. The hull had some black gunk on the lower keel and rudder, and some light slime everywhere else. This after two years in fresh water. I pressure washed, then did a little sanding on any paint that had any signs of flaking and checking. I repaired the keel nick that I got last summer when I hit a floating bridge anchor cable. I Ground out the area and filled with 3M vinylester filler. I did have to grind and fill 3 small gelcoat blisters near the prop strut as well. A quick and coat of paint finished it up. Last thing I did today was polish the hull. Buffed on a coat of cleaner wax, and then followed with a coat of Collinite Fleetwax. Looks like new! I'm just about ready for some summer cruising
Had my boat hauled Friday. Checked the zincs and prop. After two years the Zincs were about 60% gone. The prop did not have as much corrosion and pitting as I had imagined. Of course things are never as bad as I imagine they will be. I cleaned the prop with a wire wheel in a drill. Turned out OK, but with many small pitted areas about a couple thousands of an inch deep. I didn't get a good before picture, but have attached an after. The hull had some black gunk on the lower keel and rudder, and some light slime everywhere else. This after two years in fresh water. I pressure washed, then did a little sanding on any paint that had any signs of flaking and checking. I repaired the keel nick that I got last summer when I hit a floating bridge anchor cable. I Ground out the area and filled with 3M vinylester filler. I did have to grind and fill 3 small gelcoat blisters near the prop strut as well. A quick and coat of paint finished it up. Last thing I did today was polish the hull. Buffed on a coat of cleaner wax, and then followed with a coat of Collinite Fleetwax. Looks like new! I'm just about ready for some summer cruising
To Jon W.
Zinc is often considered too passive for fresh water use. Consider using magnesium anodes in your fresh water environment.
Zinc is often considered too passive for fresh water use. Consider using magnesium anodes in your fresh water environment.
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