Stray current in our marina

[8943post]

I've been keeping an eye on the transom zinc on our Duffy and it seems to be degrading faster than I think it should. The boats been in the water since April and think it'll need replacing within the next month.

I've seen others hang a zinc over the side of the boat does this help to capture some of the stray current in the water?

Thanks

 

[Blitzen]

We had the same problem in our marina. The Marina checked and tested both the shore side and all the vessels in the slips to find the problem.

The fish zinc over the side placed close to your rudder and prop will help in the event you lose the ones on the boat.

 

[Eslang]

I've been keeping an eye on the transom zinc on our Duffy and it seems to be degrading faster than I think it should. The boats been in the water since April and think it'll need replacing within the next month.

I've seen others hang a zinc over the side of the boat does this help to capture some of the stray current in the water?

Thanks

I don't know why but, when your boat is new the zinc wears out very quickly. Each zinc you put on seems to last a little longer. I asked my finisher about it when I got my boat new. He told me it was because and new hull has a lot of energy in it ?!?!
I didn't really know what that meant and didn't know if it was BS or not. Over time, however, he was right and each zinc I changed seemed to last longer than the last & now I get a year on a zinc.
It could all be BS, I don't know but I figured I'd pass it along.
How is the new boat? Are you happy with it?
Best,
E

 

[F/V First Team]

ever see a brand new hull popped from the mold? it is so full of static that your hair will stand on end 20 feet away and pity the poor bastard that touches it and completes the ground. hurts like a bastard. in a dimly lit shop you can see the arc at times and the snap is deafening. and if the sloor wasnt cleaned really good the unit will draw up all of the dust and dirt from the floor. just like back in science class when you were a kid and you were rubbing balloons on your head so that they will stick to the wall.

now stop and think of all the processes of finishing a bare hull and top. all the sanding, grinding, polishing, etc and keep in mind that fiberglass is an insulator, all of that energy is stored in the boat and when it completes the circuit there is discharge that seeps for a long time. that is why a new boat chews up zincs like they're going out of style.

 

[Super Suck]

Do they ground the molds at any point to allow the current a safer passage?

 

[F/V First Team]

Do they ground the molds at any point to allow the current a safer passage?

usually use the new guy for that

 

[CEShawn]

Ha, great story. I love getting new kids coming out of the maritime college's, new guys are always good for entertainment.

 

[Raider Ronnie]

usually use the new guy for that

So that explains you having the curly hair
How young were you when it happened ?

 

[F/V First Team]

I don't remember how old I was
But I do remember the roaring laughter that followed

 

[Frank Grimes]

Ha. That happened to me when I was 15, first year at the yard I worked at. Ya know, there's a sure-fire way to ground that boat before we splash it.......