Sacrificial Zinc

[Mike]

I removed the zinc from my prop shaft and then painted the shaft and prop with special antifouling paint for props. My question is, will the new zinc work if installed on the shaft over paint or do I need to reomove the paint so that there is contact with the metal? Thanks.

 

[Dave Bousquet]

Remove paint..

Mike,I think you are going to have to remove the paint. Last year I painted by entire shaft with acp-50. When the yard installed the zincs, they removed the paint from the shaft where they were going to attach them. I would think you would want direct contact.

 

[John Eastin]

Zinc and outboards

My Catalina 27 is powered by an outboard. Is it important to use a zinc on this or does this really just apply to inboards. If on outboards where would you attach the zinc? Thanks.

 

[John M.]

Yes, use on outboards

On outboards the zinc is usually attached to the anti-cavitation plate (the horizontal "fin" above the prop). It is good idea to use it as it prevents the deterioration of the metal on the lower unit - very cheap insurance.