Trim Tab Zincs

[pugtug613]

This is my first season with The Pugs Tug. I just had it hauled and she's in my back yard right now. I noticed there are no zincs on the trim tabs. Shouldn't there be zincs? The trim tabs are steel, I assume, and can corrode in salt water. I would think trim tabs are a good idea? Has anyone added zincs to their trim tabs? All that needs to be done is drill a hole, scrap off any paint and install one of those flat round zincs.

 

[Barry Cohen]

I buy the specified zincs for the Bennet Trim Tabs from boatzincs.com

Much easier install. Use the holes provided. No drilling.

 

[Captain Steve]

My 25 has trim tab zincs. Also one on the rudder, too.

 

[jcarrdive]

It should have zincs, yes. We have additional zincs put on the support bars for the swimsteps as well as the one on the back of the prop.
Did you check your zincs on the bow and stern thrusters?
All the zincs are important, especially if you are in a harbor. If you are trailering it and it is out of the water most of the time, it is still important, but not AS critical.
If in the water all the time, monitor the zincs, as electrolisis on some harbors is bad and if the zincs are going or run way down, they something else is getting eaten up, and it is most likely something you don't want to have eaten.
Hope that helps you.
The trim tabs should be stainless steel?

 

[pugtug613]

The trim tabs probably are st. st.. They are painted, but that would make sense. Thanks for all the advise, I have all winter to contemplate the situation.

 

[baz]

The prop and thruster anodes are the ones to keep an eye on. The Thruster anodes are especially important as they are small and if allowed to get eaten badly the holding bolt and the threads will be compromised in a hurry. Once this happens even more damage to the thruster is likely and the repair costs will stress you no end.

 

[lotsofspareparts]

Yes, if your boat is operated mainly in saltwater you should have zincs on your trim tabs.

I got a visit at M1, probably been 15-16 months ago from Mike at Bennett. He approached me at Ranger Monroe (M1) and asked how we installed the zincs on our trim tabs. I had a set ready to install and showed him. I drill a 5/16 hole in the middle of the tab and install a "Marytr" zinc anode.

Apparently there was a Cutwater 30 at a boat show down in Florida that was in a "hot" marina for 8 days. It did not have a zinc installed on either trim tab and they were almost eaten right off the transom.

A hot marina is the one you don't want to swim in, a boat with an improper ground or poorly designed electrical system can send small or large AC current into the water via the boats bonding system. The bonding system is connected to the boats AC and DC electrical system.

If you operate and moor your boat in saltwater you need (IMHO) zincs on your trim tabs.

There are different rules for fresh water, they are usually made of magnesium.

Hope this helps.