How much zinc?

Green Machine · 01-23-2004, 06:06 PM

I've always had zincs/magnesium on my boat, kicker, and pump, but I was talking to a boat dealer the other day and he said to NEVER have zinc on the boat itself? I thought this was odd and argued with him, but didn't seem to matter. I do not moor my boat and have never really had problem with electrolysis, just wondering why he said no zinc on the boat itself? He said it will expedite the process. Very confusing. I go in the salt a lot, but always wash the boat before myself. :grin: What do you think???

Green Machine

Jet Drifter · 01-23-2004, 06:20 PM

Hi Green Machine! Good to see you back [img]graemlins/program.gif[/img]
I think you are right about Zincs.
I put a 5 inch long tear dropped shaped zinc on the aluminum bracket attached to the lower transom used as a transducer mount.
And the 8 horse Honda Kicker has a 1 inch square zinc mounted on the long shaft.
The key word is "sacrificial". I'd rather sacrifice the Zinc like insurance for the boat.

Uglygreen · 01-23-2004, 06:20 PM

I think he was an idiot. Or maybe he just wants to sell his customers a new boat every few years when their old ones corrode out. I would be curious about his reasoning, and why it is different from the rest of the known universe.

UG

Captain and Marie · 01-23-2004, 06:23 PM

I was told you don't need zink on a fiberglass boat, is this correct? Only on the motor.

Now if you have a metal boat you will always need zink.

MW

Water Ready · 01-23-2004, 06:24 PM

If it is an aluminum boat and you use in in salt-water a bunch, ---Zinc it! I have seen many and the last one I totaled because it had over 600 holes in the bottom. I don't buy his theory. He is wrong.

Sounds like he wants to sell you another boat when the one you have goes bad. Feel free to ask around, and I would anyway just so you get more info on electrolysis. If it's a glass boat do the motor. They are not expensive and it's not rocket science to put them on. But the overall outcome if you don't could be expensive. :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

Fshklr · 01-23-2004, 06:43 PM

Why use ZINC?

As for how much...I was unable to locate that info so far. :whazzup:

01-23-2004, 06:56 PM

The dealer wants to sell you a new boat when yours evaporates

I have 4 small zincs on my 14' Smokercrft.

If your motor has excess zink and it is bonded to the hull the motor zincs will protect the hull. It's still imporntant to zinc everything.

Marie,
Only on metal hulls and metal that is exposed to the water.

Some lakes in Eastern Oregon are worse than the ocean for galvanic action.

[ 01-23-2004, 08:01 PM: Message edited by: Keta ]

Green Machine · 01-23-2004, 07:23 PM

Yes, it is an aluminum boat, and yes, I do have them on the boat. His reasoning was two things.
1) Zinc will make your boat like a magnet, especially in a Marina with boats that do not have zincs. He said the zincs will draw all the positive ions to your boat, away from others, and cause ten times the damage??
2) If over-zinced, may cause problems with electronics and would have to use a black box to control this. I don't buy that one. :depressed:

The only reason I went there was to get replacements and then was told not to.

Thanks for the help!!

Green Machine

Water Ready · 01-23-2004, 09:40 PM

Good for you! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] He was way wrong! I don't think that you can overload. But, it only takes small amounts and watch them, to see what develops.
If they move fast on a aluminum boat it may mean there is a hard ground to the boat. Or even worse a screw that went into a hot-wire when it was built. :depressed:
I used to work commercial boats and on my side could not catch. We started looking at what was different and found that my side had no zinc. The fish on my side were hitting and getting shocked,(Electrolysis) and I hooked up with zincs and started catching fish. Way to much power in the ocean thats untapped. Lots to consider.
Be alert, catch fish! Later

Irie1 · 01-24-2004, 10:25 AM

So does anybody know if pitted zinc's can be polished with a wire wheel and be reused? I have done this in the past and tend to think it doesn't work to well.

slabhunter · 01-24-2004, 01:51 PM

Irie 1, Just keep it clean, no oil residue or paint on it. Replace it when 1/3 remains. It is better to replace the sacrificial anode than to have a hole in the boat!