Location of shaft Zincs for the 53’

[Blain]

A quick question from a newbie, please. I am in the process of changing Zincs. Previous owner has 2 Zincs on each shaft right in front of the props. Looking at Hatteras diagrams for the 53’, I see there is a shaft Zinc drawn & labelled about 15” or so aft of the shaft entry into the hull.. The diagram has no other zincs labelled on the shaft. Should I install a third shaft zinc at this forward location?

I am not sure if the 53’ had originally a diver’s dream ((removed to accommodate a stern thruster).. maybe the PO has the 2 zincs in front of the props to balance for the missing divers dream?..

What are your thoughts?

Blain

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I think the fwd zinc was there because of the two piece shaft.

 

[dsharp]

About the only thing that you don’t want to do is mount the zinc so close to the cutlass bearing that it interrupts to flow of water through the bearing. As previously stated if you have a 2 piece shaft add a second zinc to the shaft. Make sure the shaft is clean. After you tighten the zinc hit it on each side in the middle with a hammer to spread it then tighten it again.

 

[Blain]

Thank you Sky & dsharp. So it seems that I should add the fwd zinc since I do have a 2 piece shaft as long as it does not interfere with the cutlass bearing. Which is a very good point.. I am not sure how far away from the cutlass bearing is safe enough to not interfere with flow. No easy way to test this while on the hard.
To the owners of 53’, do you have a divers dream zinc at the transom?

Thanks

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I do not have the big zinc on the transom. I have only seen a few of the early 53's with them. Your 1983 does not need it. The bonding system was well designed and you have isolation transformers to protect from AC leakage.

 

[Blain]

Thank you, Sky