Cone Zinc

[Copacetic]

Hi All,
I know this has bounced around on Sail$%&# but I'm really wondering if I'm in a small minority of C350 owners losing their cone zinc somewhere in between two locations. I'm thinking about buying a bag full of bolts and lock washers for the diver. Of course, if there was room, I'd love to have a collar zinc. Does anyone remember the details of the collar zinc that someone bought that worked without cutting it down? Does the PSS kit installation change the spacing available on the shaft? And what does perhaps a different prop (AutoProp, MaxiProp) do in the way of zincing?

[Jack McDonald]

I have a MaxProp. The zinc is cone shaped and fits on the end of the shaft.

[Tim April IV]

Scott - Going into my 4th year with our 350 and I've never had a problem losing cone zincs - even when they've begun to wear away. My diver seems to be able to install them so that they stay on solid for 6 months at a time - the interval between dive checks and replacement.

There is a picture posted in the "temp-cavitation..." forum here of my prop and zinc installation.

http://www.catalina350.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9

As you can see in the picture, there really isn't space on the shaft for a collar zinc - and even if the PSS kit was installed (has NOT been installed on this boat) you'd somehow have to gain maybe an inch or more of exposed shaft to even think about getting a zinc in there.

Is it possible that your diver isn't getting enough torque on the attach nut? I could see how that might be difficult to do underwater.

Have you considered doing a slightly more frequent check of your zinc installation - in order to gauge if higher than expected deterioration of the zinc is allowing it to come loose. It's possible that the water is hotter than you think and you are "throwing" a loose fitting, worn zinc. Solution here would be don't let it wear so much.

Some forums have suggested applying a small amount of protective paint on the zinc at the point where the bolt attaches/applies holding power. Make sure to not isolate (electrically) the zinc from the shaft, but attempt to protect the attachment point.

Good Luck!

[Copacetic]

Tim, Thanks for the picture. I've forgotten how it looks down there. I can see from looks that there is little if any room for a shaft zinc. My diver has actually traded out the original bolt for a hex socket bolt for that added torque, with a lock washer to boot. The single bolt in the center of the shaft/zinc doesn't inspire confidence. Jack mentioned his MaxProp and once I saw the three bolts for his zinc, I thought this is the way to attach a zinc.
Jack, did you add the MaxProp later after delivery? Any cavitation problems?

[Jack McDonald]

Scott,
We added the Maxprop prior to launch of our 2nd year with the boat. We've had the boat for 3 full seasons - 2003, 2004, 2005. We got the MaxProp for performance and reverse reasons. We didn't have the cavitation problem before or after the MaxProp.