peaman
Sustaining Member
Motoring out from the marina today for a sail, a strange sound came from below. At 2 second intervals (at 1300 rpm or so), we heard maybe 4 taps within a 1 second period. Once we got into open water, I dropped anchor to take a look. I had a single zinc on the prop shaft between the shaft log and strut, and it had come loose one one side and the two halves had shifted diagonally. Fiddling with it between breaths, a screw fell into my hand and I was subsequently able to loosen the other screw, and then to remove the zinc.
The zinc was in fair shape, with much less than 1% of its weight lost after 3 months in the cool New England sea water. So the question is, would I be foolish to not replace the zinc until after the boat is hauled for the Winter in 3 months time, or should I rush to arrange for a diver to install a new one soon? The prop, strut, and shaft (except under the zinc) were all coated with bottom paint before launch.
The zinc was in fair shape, with much less than 1% of its weight lost after 3 months in the cool New England sea water. So the question is, would I be foolish to not replace the zinc until after the boat is hauled for the Winter in 3 months time, or should I rush to arrange for a diver to install a new one soon? The prop, strut, and shaft (except under the zinc) were all coated with bottom paint before launch.