Zinc Replacement

abkeywest · Post by **abkeywest** » Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:15 pm

I had a complete bottom job done the end of June that included all the zincs replaced. the first of September I noticed that the zincs on my rudders were all most gone, only 2 months. I replaced them and looked again today and saw that they were at least 50% gone. The boat is in salt water in Key West. The zincs on the prop shafts are in good condition. I know that the rudders were wire wheeled to bare metal and painted. My question is if the zincs were put on the rudders with paint between the zinc and the rudder is that correct? Or should the paint be removed and the zinc against bare metal?

Thanks

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:29 pm

The zincs need to be touching bare metal. Paint will act as an insulator and stop the current flow. You will need to remove the paint underneath the zincs to have them work properly.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:56 am

++1. Continuity in key. Is all your metal hardware through the hull bonded? If so, make sure your rudders are also, and that the wiring and connectors are clean and in good shape.

abkeywest · Post by **abkeywest** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:13 am

The rudders are bonded. The connections could use alittle cleaning. Acording to the PO the last zincs on the boat in this marina lasted a year. The only thing that has changed is having the bottom finished.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:25 am

The paint will deffinately do it as Dog House mentioned. Must have continuity between the metals (zinc/rudder).

~DarkNemesis~ · Post by **~DarkNemesis~** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 8:45 pm

+ how ever many