Shaft zincs problems

[Captain Dan McClarren]

Have any of you guys with diesel had problems with your shaft zincs working loose? I re-power last winter from gas to diesel and after a routine haul out found one side missing the shaft zincs and the other side all the screws had work loose. I reinstalled two sets of zincs on each shaft and put boat back in the water. Now with only 30 or so additional hours I checked them again this weekend and found that one zinc on each shaft had loosen up and moved back against the propeller struts. In 30 years of boating I have never had this type of problem with shaft zincs, any ideas?

[franklyprice]

Dan, I had that problem when I used the Canadian zincs and only one per shaft. Now I use two per shaft and the Camp zincs and no problems.

[dougl33]

Dan, What brand zincs are you using and what is your install method? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

[smanni]

random problems over the past few years. I check them a few times a summer and so far this year no problem at all. I did 2 per shaft - both still there (as of 2 weeks ago)

[Captain Dan McClarren]

I have been using the zinc manufacture by Camp two per shaft. The installation method was sand shaft area, install zinc and tighten, hit both sides of zinc with a hammer, and re-tighten all four screws again.

[smanni]

same thing I do

[dougl33]

I do the same thing, though I usually repeat the hammering and re-tightening process 2-3 times. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

[photo finish]

The new zincs that i put on seem to have a better clamping technique than most they are called Martyr zincs

[gskill]

Dan I have also had an occasional problem with the zincs working loose. When I install them I place some 5200 on the screws before screwing together on the shaft. It sets the screws and they do not back out. George Skillas 33 FBC Destiny - 1983 Deerfield Beach, Florida [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... estiny.jpg[/img]

[Sean B]

I used camp zincs and always had those problems with the shafts. I finally just gave up on shaft zincs. As part of re-working the bonding system I installed a big "diver's zinc" on the transom. Based on all the readings I took, the combination of the transom zinc, plus zincs on the rudders, trim tabs and swim platform braces... provide the right amount of protection for everything including the shafts. So the shafts are connected to the zincs even though they don't have they're own dedicated zincs. Watch out for the zinc slipping down on the strut. You can burn up your cutlass bearing that way (no water getting to it) Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

[John C]

Try the godfrey zincs they are twice the cost but last longer and they never slide down..

[lobsta1]

I second the Godfrey zincs. But like John C said, they are REEEAAALLL proud of them & charge accordingly. Al

[Captain Dan McClarren]

Thanks all for your input and help. I spent the last two nights under the boat in the scuba gear and was able to move the zincs back up the shaft and retighten them. All four zincs had loosed up but only the two rear zincs had moved down the shaft to the strut. My plans are to run the boat this weekend and go back under the boat next week to check and see if this is going to be a continuing problem. I spent a lot of time hammering and retighten the screws so hopefully this will solve the problem for the remainder of this season anyway. Once again thanks all for your input.