Strut - should I be worried?

smokey73

smokey73

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Oct 26, 2010
2,214
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
I was looking at my strut and prop (Maxprop) and I noticed some discoloration on both. In particular should I be worried about imminent failure of the strut.

I was not present when they hauled the boat but on the maxprop zinc there is that "ring". My new zinc does not have the ring. Do I keep it an reuse it or toss it? It seems that it has some small spacers and does not allow my new zinc to fit flush with the hub?

Any perspective is appreciated.

Here are some pictures.
 

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woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
that strut looks like it is bronze in color which is good if it were pinkish or copper colored that would be bad ...as for the ring i am not sure what to tell you other than if it was with the prop when it came it must have a purpose ...can you call maxprop and find out from them
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Looks The Same To Me

smokey73 said:
I was looking at my strut and prop (Maxprop) and I noticed some discoloration on both. In particular should I be worried about imminent failure of the strut. Any perspective is appreciated.
I can't help re: the Max Prop. However, here is a photo of my strut after a recent haul out. I don't see much difference. (BTW, I had to replace the shaft.)
Click to expand
 

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rardiH36

rardiH36

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Jun 21, 2007
2,118
Hunter Cherubini 36_80-82 Sausalito / San Francisco Bay
As wodster already informed, pink/copper suggests that the integrity of marine grade bronze is compromised for the worse. Hard to tell from your photos if what we are seeing is just staining/pitting/oxidation on the surface. Or something deeper.

If you are concerned, then sand or grind away at the surface until you see bright metal. Just like people do to make their "in-the-water-for-several-years" prop look almost new again. If all is yellow bronze bright metallic you are good. If any pink metal, then your bronze strut and max prop have lost too many electrons to electrolysis and is now porous and brittle. If you have just a spot or two of pink, you might consult with somebody local for second opinion. Provided you zinc well, you're probably OK until the next haul-out.

Look at this url (and the picture) which was my experience a year ago:

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1120923&highlight=pink strut
 
All U Get

All U Get

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Oct 2, 2008
3,811
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
smokey73 said:
I was not present when they hauled the boat but on the maxprop zinc there is that "ring". My new zinc does not have the ring. Do I keep it an reuse it or toss it? It seems that it has some small spacers and does not allow my new zinc to fit flush with the hub?

Any perspective is appreciated.
Click to expand
Hi Smokey,

I believe the ring is part of the zinc that was on the prop. I will try and find out where I got that tidbit since it will let you know if the prop used it up.

All U Get
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
That ring from the used up zinc is meant to keep the zinc from coming off if one or two of the holes around the bolts fail. I use only Maxprop zincs that have that ring and fit perfectly. I also paint the areas around the holes with some nail polish to keep that area intact longer.
 
Allan12210

Allan12210

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Jan 22, 2008
1,700
Hunter 34 Alameda CA
I added a zinc just like you can see in Rick D's photo above. Drill a 1/4" hole through the strut and inspect the shavings and the hole. The pink should only be at the very surface, then you should see nice bronze color through the hole. Install a pancake zinc and it will provide protection. Just make sure your diver replaces it. Mine didn't and now I have a new diver.
 

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