Missing/lost prop zinc

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BaseCampAnne":2mdt7gob said:
Interesting statistics and study you are doing on the zincs, Baz. I look forward to future results.

I am going to be interested in learning how the zincs last in San Diego. I believe the environmental standards are tougher in the marinas there, so perhaps the problems will be different, but I am becoming a skeptic. In addition, the water there is much warmer, which probably will have negative implications.

I am also guessing research results will always be dependent upon the marina, what the protections are for boats near ours, and how often other boats with problems are coming and going, sharing their "infectious" problems :-(

I have decided not to go with the galvanic isolator at this point due to the cost for having it put in, plus the 25 is a small boat. I am going to have a transom zinc put in, and have had the swim step bonded now, which should help.

I found it interesting that the 26 Cutwater comes with both the transom zinc and the bonded swim step, as I understand.

And the sacrificial zincs continue eroding...ah, what would we do if this were simple? :roll:
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From your previous posts you sound like a resourceful lady. I don't believe it would be beyond your capabilities to correctly and safely install a GI yourself.
It's usually a case of drilling holes for four screws to mount it, then making a simple ground wire connection.

Take a look at the manual (which can always be found online), for the unit you favor and see what you think.
 
Anne, I agree with last poster in that the GI is not that difficult to install. The big cost is buying the unit which is around $250 or less depending on where you get it. Mind you, having it installed professionally would quite likely add another $100 to $150. So the cost either way is substantial.

I installed mine easily and can certainly help you via telephone if you want. You have the R-25SC and it's shore power connector location maybe different than on my R-25. You may PM me if you want to discuss this further.

I'm also sure Andrew or Kenny could give you some good pointers and advice.
 
Here is my 2 cents worth of information on the prop zinc for those who are interested: We have had our R-29 for 3 seasons now. (In the Spring/Summer/Fall the boat is at the Everett Marina (when we are not out cruising) and in the Winter it is out of the water on its trailer - so it spends about 5 months out of the water each year). In the past we would go thru a whole prop zinc at least every 3 months while it was in the water. Last spring (after talking to Andrew) I decided to buy and and install a galvanic isolator. I also used a zinc guppy over the side this year when the boat was moored "at home" at the Everett Marina. (Our boat does not have an external zinc on the transom since it was built in 2010). This has made a big difference. We had a diver change the prop zinc the first part of July and it was still in good shape (probably about 90% intact after 3 months in the water). I just hauled the boat out on the trailer last weekend and found the prop zinc about 75% intact (again after about 3 months in the water) and just slightly loose on the bolt. So I think the galvanic isolator/zinc guppy combination definitely made a difference. I think the reason the prop zinc could have deteriorated more in the last half of the season is that we spend a lot more time in "other" marinas in the last half of the summer. I usually attach the prop zinc with a couple extra washers and lock washers and that seems to help with keeping the zinc from getting loose. The diver did not do this in July which could explain why the zinc was slightly loose when I hauled the boat out last weekend. The only down side is that galvanic isolators are of course not that cheap, but to me it has been worth it. The other zinc on the boat last all year and I change them each Winter when the boat is out of the water. Doug.
 
Doug: Do your R-29's bow and stern thruster zincs last all year before needing replacing ? Once they deteriorate the male/female threads of the bolt and socket that holds these zincs will be attacked -- and this can lead to expensive repairs. These zincs are very small and suspect they are protecting a fair amount of metal since they deteriorate so quickly (at least they do on my R-25).
 
I have had about the same experience with zincs as Doug had. I am doing the same thing that Doug is doing and I keep my boat in the water year around--guppy over the side when boat is in the slip and galvanic isolator installed. I recently tested my galvanic isolator and it was not working so I am in the process of replacing the GI with a different one.
 
Jim: What was the brand & model of the failed GI you mentioned, and what brand/model will you be replacing it with ?
 
As far as our thruster zincs go, yep, they do last all year. When I have pulled the boat out each winter, the thruster zincs usually are about 60 to 70% intact and not loose at all. So I just replace them each winter. Doug.
 
Jim, Assuming the failed GI was a "Failsafe" design, did it fail in a safe manner, that is did it become a short circuit between the terminals?

Howard
 
C Dawg":20oraark said:
As far as our thruster zincs go, yep, they do last all year. When I have pulled the boat out each winter, the thruster zincs usually are about 60 to 70% intact and not loose at all. So I just replace them each winter. Doug.
Click to expand...

You're in fresh water presumably ?
 
Howard, did not short circuit. Well get back to you when I install new one.
 
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