zincs and bottom paint questions

[Temporary Sanity]

When my 2001 38 sundancer was pulled for the survey the marina told me sea ray does not advise on putting zincs on the shafts any more and left them off. Any one heard of this? Every other boat including the sea rays around the marina seems to have them installed.

Second is bottom paint, my marina advised not to paint the rudders, exhaust outlets and cutlass bearing mounts. A walk around the marina has about 50% painted vs not.

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

I too have an 01 380 and do not have shaft zincs. My understanding is that the transom zinc and the tab zincs are plnty to protect the underwater gear.

As far as the rudders,exhaust, etc. I do have mine painted although it typically lasts only around 6 months... maybe that is why they advised not painting.

Brian

 

[Temporary Sanity]

Thanks, they told me the copper in the paint makes pits in the nibrel. Mine are already pitted, just wanted to save some clean time. Why does it only last 6 months on yours?

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

It only lasts 6 months since I use the boat a lot- I think the friction of the water on the props, rudders, etc. cause the gear paint to not last as long. My last bottom job on the hull lasted two years.

 

[northern]

I put on two shaft zincs per shafts and they wear out of a a year. That to me indicates they are working. The large diver zinc (they stack 2 on) is about half gone and the ones on the tabs are gone. Will continue to put them on the shafts. I was told if you plug your boat in all the time the zincs go fasted because of stray current. Any one know about stray current in marinas?

 

[tobnpr]

There are cases where a shaft zinc has slipped down the shaft, and worn the cutlass bearing/shaft.
I still prefer to have shaft zincs. While bonding can "usually" be obtained through the transmission to the engine block, this electrical connection can be unstable/sporadic.

As far as painting running gear, do a search. It's a matter of preference. I can see no reason not to paint shafts and struts. It does cause a minor performance loss on props if done properly. I paint the props, because not doing so means diving and cleaning them weekly most of the year if I don't. In colder northern waters you may be able to get away with not painting.

As far as pitting from the copper- no way if the yard does the job the right way and uses an appropriate underwater primer over properly prepared bare metal. You NEVER put copper paint directly onto other underwater metals- including your thru-hulls.