Usualy my yard provides the shaft zincs, however last year as the boat was about to splash I noticed that they had not replaced the zincs on the shaft. I was then informed that since they did not winterize the engine, I was responsible. I assume just a trip to West Marine for shaft zincs for a 1" shaft should do? Is there anything special I need to consider. It seems every year when the boat is pulled one zinc is missing, and the other is in decent condition. I however replace both every year anyway. Should ther be two zincs on a 89 Cat 30 with a Universal M25XP or is this overkill. Rather than folk over $90.00 to the yard, I would rather do the work myself.
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Overkill
It depends on your area, on your particular marina or even your particular slip. My recommendation would be to install two zincs, even if you don't think you need two. And be sure to seat them right. This may be one of the reasons one comes up missing every year. After you tighten them up, take a couple of hammers, hold one on the backside of the zinc, and give it a good lick on the other side, then re tighten.
It depends on your area, on your particular marina or even your particular slip. My recommendation would be to install two zincs, even if you don't think you need two. And be sure to seat them right. This may be one of the reasons one comes up missing every year. After you tighten them up, take a couple of hammers, hold one on the backside of the zinc, and give it a good lick on the other side, then re tighten.
zinc sizes
If you do your shopping for zincs, you might want to look for the oversized ones which have approx. twice the metal as the old ones do. They are available at WM et al and may be worth the extra $$$ to you.
If you do your shopping for zincs, you might want to look for the oversized ones which have approx. twice the metal as the old ones do. They are available at WM et al and may be worth the extra $$$ to you.
Thankd for the replies. I have never actually installed the zincs, the yard has always done this (actually the only work besides bottom painting and hauling). Could you give a better description on how to assure they are on tight. I cannot quite picture your explanation of the two hammers... Thanks.
zinc install
it's pretty simple: 1. clean shaft in contact with zinc(s) 2. install and tighten zincs 3. hit it (them) with a hammer 4. tighten some more
it's pretty simple: 1. clean shaft in contact with zinc(s) 2. install and tighten zincs 3. hit it (them) with a hammer 4. tighten some more
use a vise!
Make sure you sand the shaft until you have a good surface for electrical conduction - should be bare metal. Remember, zincs are the sacrificial anodes of an electrical circuit. The screws on my 1" zincs were allen key and stainless steel so you could really compress the two halves and get them tight without any other means. As an alternative to the hammer, you could use a small screw vise to compress the two halves together. The discussion of one zinc or two really depends on the shore power you connect to. It has nothing to do with your boat size or engine. It has everything to do with ground potential differences between the water and the earth ground in the shore power connector. I would use your past history as a good indicator unless they just did major electric upgrades or changes. As a general rule, the more you connect to shore power, the more you will wear your zincs.
Make sure you sand the shaft until you have a good surface for electrical conduction - should be bare metal. Remember, zincs are the sacrificial anodes of an electrical circuit. The screws on my 1" zincs were allen key and stainless steel so you could really compress the two halves and get them tight without any other means. As an alternative to the hammer, you could use a small screw vise to compress the two halves together. The discussion of one zinc or two really depends on the shore power you connect to. It has nothing to do with your boat size or engine. It has everything to do with ground potential differences between the water and the earth ground in the shore power connector. I would use your past history as a good indicator unless they just did major electric upgrades or changes. As a general rule, the more you connect to shore power, the more you will wear your zincs.
When you hit the zinc (on the shaft)
with a hammer, hold an equal or bigger hammer on the other side of the zinc. Not only will this help close the gap, it will pretect the shaft and cutlass bearing from possible damage when you hit it on one side.
with a hammer, hold an equal or bigger hammer on the other side of the zinc. Not only will this help close the gap, it will pretect the shaft and cutlass bearing from possible damage when you hit it on one side.
Check this HELP! URL: http://www.yanmarhelp.com/s_anode.htm BTW, a good C-Clamp will also do the two-hammer trick (but I prefer the hammers). AND...always replace all of the zincs that you have on the shaft (unless you leave them where they are).
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