Question about zincs

[wristwister]

My Tartan 30 has no zinc I installed to protect the shaft and prop. The reason for this is because there is no room on the exposed shaft for a zinc, and I couldn't find any zinc configurations that would fit on the prop nut. This is obviously an undesirable setup, and until I can figure out a permanent solution I want to protect the shaft and prop as best I can.

Question, if I were to clip a wire onto the exposed shaft inside the boat, run it over the deck and into the water attached to a zinc plate, would that offer decent protection at least while the boat is in her slip? Any other ideas for curtailing corrosion?

Thanks

[a64pilot]

Yes, that will work until you can get something better.
I usually hang a "guppy" zinc that is bonded to my boats bonding system myself. In my case it's just extra protection.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by wristwister

My Tartan 30 has no zinc I installed to protect the shaft and prop. The reason for this is because there is no room on the exposed shaft for a zinc, and I couldn't find any zinc configurations that would fit on the prop nut.

I don't understand.

[wristwister]

Thanks A64. I'm assuming the ground path through the tranny into the engine isn't sufficient to just attach the clip to an engine ground correct? It needs direct connection to the shaft?

Fstbttms, the shaft and prop is an unusual configuration, with a nut that no off-the-shelf zincs will go on. I even had a couple boatyards take a look and they left scratching their heads. I could have (probably should have) come up with some custom way of applying a zinc to that nut, but I didn't. Next haul-out I will.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by wristwister

Fstbttms, the shaft and prop is an unusual configuration, with a nut that no off-the-shelf zincs will go on. I even had a couple boatyards take a look and they left scratching their heads. I could have (probably should have) come up with some custom way of applying a zinc to that nut, but I didn't. Next haul-out I will.

The setup in the pic I posted is an anode and prop nut. It would replace whatever nut you have on there now (assuming you are running a fixed-blade prop.) I can't imagine what you have that couldn't be replaced by this.

[GuidoY]

Yep, that's the one. If you've an Indigo prop you may not need a zinc, according to Tom. http://atomic4.com/propeller.html I've been without for almost a year, but am in brackish water and no shore power, just solar charger, so not as harsh. I've got a hull cleaning this week, diver will also check prop to see how it's holding up.

[wristwister]

Just to follow up on my thread here, I've had my zinc guppy in the water about a week and a half now, clamped to the prop shaft. That thing looks like **** already! It's apparently working great. Makes me wonder how often I'll be replacing zinc guppies.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by wristwister

Just to follow up on my thread here, I've had my zinc guppy in the water about a week and a half now, clamped to the prop shaft. That thing looks like **** already! It's apparently working great. Makes me wonder how often I'll be replacing zinc guppies.

A guppy anode is a substantial piece of metal and should last a long time. If yours is truly depleting rapidly, it's indicative of a problem.

[sanibel sailor]

could set a carbon brush to propshaft and then rig a thru-hull machine screw with zinc outboard. I just did this on my boat for a seacock worry. I will PM th article I wrote.

[sanibel sailor]

More pic