AJ290 shaft, zinc or no zinc?

[Youngin19]

I have had a few different opinions from guys around the marina on a zinc issue.

My Amberjack 290doesn't currently have zincs on them. I purchased them and had planned on putting them on. There have been some that say put them on and some say no. Neither side really had a strong argument.

Any help/opinions?

Also, when I took off the current trim tab zincs there was some type of grease/lubricant. Any idea what may have been used there? It was on the bolt that runs through and on both sides that where it touches the trim tab.

 

[Larry]

I believe from the mid 90's to current Sea Ray has a bonding system that encompasses the shafts via a copper tab that rides on the shaft, this does theoretically eliminate the need for shaft zincs. I do however still put shaft zincs on my shafts as a precautionary measure, just in case the little copper tab breaks, or for some reason looses contact with it's surface. The grease that is on the zincs threads is probably permatex "anti seize" type stuff.

 

[saltydogz]

When I got my boat they were on, so I always replaced them. Since I never got a good reason why I should not have them on, I keep them on to be safe as well.

 

[katricol]

All the shafts I see have zinc's

 

[Youngin19]

I believe from the mid 90's to current Sea Ray has a bonding system that encompasses the shafts via a copper tab that rides on the shaft, this does theoretically eliminate the need for shaft zincs. I do however still put shaft zincs on my shafts as a precautionary measure, just in case the little copper tab breaks, or for some reason looses contact with it's surface. The grease that is on the zincs threads is probably permatex "anti seize" type stuff.

I had a feeling thats what it was. Thank you very much for the other information also.

When I got my boat they were on, so I always replaced them. Since I never got a good reason why I should not have them on, I keep them on to be safe as well.

Good to know, I bought mine used. I think we have the exact same set up except you have the beautiful blue hull!! Thank you, they are going on. When I was trying to decide I was wondering if they were equiped with them from the factory. Where were yours located on the shaft when you took delivery? I am assuming directly in the middle??

All the shafts I see have zinc's

Me too, thats why I couldn't understand why some people said they wouldnt put them on.

 

[Larry]

Just make sure if you put zincs on, put them up close to the hull side, you don't want it down near the cutlass bearing as this could disrupt the clean water flow over the prop and reduce efficiency, blocking water flow to the bearing is not a good thing either.

 

[fwebster]

Sea Ray doesn't install shaft scrubbers. Someone most likely added them to the boat you saw. Sea Ray's position is that the shaft/prop are adequately bonded by the mechanical connection thru the various transmission parts that contact each other and therefore, do not require shaft zincs.

Personally, I have some difficulty with that logic since all the contact parts in the gear have clearances......gears, pumps, clutches, bearings, etc. but who am I to question the engineering minds at Sea Ray?

 

[Larry]

My apologies for the incorrect info, I always heard that the shafts were "bonded", but I assumed that it was the copper tab theory (I can't see under my V drive to the shafts).
I have confirmed the integrity of the bond via a VOM meter (I do believe that there was some resistance between the shaft and the other components that are in the bonding loop) but as I stated I still do put zincs on the shafts
Again thank you Frank for clarifying this.

 

[Redhook98]

I would put them on just for the insurance. Are you in brackish water? If so, go for the aluminum.... That is what I used on my AJ up here on the Potomac. Only use zinc in real salt water.

 

[Youngin19]

I would put them on just for the insurance. Are you in brackish water? If so, go for the aluminum.... That is what I used on my AJ up here on the Potomac. Only use zinc in real salt water.

Yes I am in brackish water, I bought zinc. I will have to look at West Marine today to see if they have aluminum.

Thanks again guys.

 

[LMBoat]

My boat did not have shaft zincs when I got it and do not now. I just hauled the boat and everything is fine. I keep the boat in warm south FL full time for 8 years and have not had an issue. I'm not sure "adding them just in case" is a good reason. They disrupt water flow to the cutless bearings <as noted earlier> and to the prop. Plus anyone that has seen a used zinc knows they don't "disolved" evenly which can lead to shaft vibrations. It may cause more problems then it solves.

 

[Redhook98]

Yes I am in brackish water, I bought zinc. I will have to look at West Marine today to see if they have aluminum.

Thanks again guys.

Yeah, your going to want to put aluminum ones on there. Zinc will work, but aluminum will last twice as long. The commensta bout the shaft collars are relevent as well. I still put them on all my boats, even if they wear unevenly. I have never had shaft vibrations due to uneven wearing zincs.

 

[Dasch Boat]

When I hauled last fall for the first time with this new to me 380 I examined all the zincs after the bottom was pressure washed. I found the shaft zincs to be about 90% gone. MM assured me that they were replacing all the zincs before I purchased the boat in July 09, so either way they are necessary and cheap insurance to protect your shafts. Rest assured I will compare the rate of corrosion when she is hauled after the upcoming season.