Propellar Zinc

[cneilson]

My Ranger 25 has a problem keeping the propellar zinc on. It has fallen off twice. The diver that installed a new on said that the bolt holfing the zinc on is too long to secure all the way into the shaft. He sawed off about an inch of the boat and installed the zinc. Hope this works. Has anybody had this problem?

 

[Andrew Custis]

I would add some locktite to the bolt and make sure that the bolt is not "Steel." I have noticed the bolts completely deteriorated due to the wrong metals being used.

 

[henrym]

Hull #75 was delivered with a plain steel bolt, I have since replaced it with a S.S. bolt of the proper length.
Henry

 

[cneilson]

Andrew: can locktite be used when boat is in the water?

 

[Andrew Custis]

I dont think so because it needs to dry. I would make sure it is a Stainless steel bolt first and I think you will stop that from happening. I am not sure if there is a material you can add underwater.

 

[Andrew Custis]

Just thinking about this I know 5200 fast cure can cure underwater and it would serve the purpose for this application I think. Try that and let me know.

 

[CaptMac]

I think mine fell off several times as well. My theory is that as it deteriorates, the screw becomes loose and the zinc falls off. I started using locktite, and haven't had the problem since. I do pull the boat onto the ytrailer to do the zincs - don't think it would work underwater

mac

 

[RICH002]

I too have had the same problem with RT Tug. However the last Zinc i ordered ( from West ) had the Blue Loctite already on the threads and the bolt was stainless. The first 2 had a black steel bolt and no loctite so im thinking the manufacturer either changed the bolt to something better or I got a different brand this time. The one I have now is from Martyr. i dont know who the manufacturer was of the first 2. I have only had this one on about 3 weeks so we will have to see if it stays on.

Rich

 

[Tom Ray]

Just thinking about this I know 5200 fast cure can cure underwater and it would serve the purpose for this application I think. Try that and let me know.

Hah! That's what I suggested in an email. It violates my usual rule for 5200: don't use it on anything you plan on removing. But a small amount could do the same job as loctite and still allow removal.

 

[cneilson]

Rather than using a propellar zinc would a shaft zinc work instead?

 

[henrym]

There is not enough exposed shaft to install any commercially available shaft zinc.
Henry