Ugh! It was a "near" genius moment!

I suppose the prop will be right in the way of the bolts that hold the zinc on. Somehow, I had forgotten that the prop widens to cover the zinc. Good catch. Thanks!

The zincs have 4 bolts holding them on (2 for each side), which is why I had thought of the idea. The Yanmars have 4 total bolts, the Volvos have only 2.

I could possibly drill just a single hole into the hub (prop nut) to allow the removal of the 4 allen bolts that hold the zincs on. Now that's a pretty good idea. I could then just rotate the hub to line that single hole up with each bolt, as I need to remove or install the bolt. If the zinc were cut in half, having 2 bolts holding each half, then I could slide the zinc in behind the prop... oh crap. The prop would have to be drilled through as well. It's behind that hub (prop nut).

I guess there is no fancy way about this. Access to the zinc is basically blocked by the prop and the shape of the prop's axle. It fits right over the zinc.

I'll always have to take the prop off to change the zincs. Seems maybe it would be better to rig up an external zinc for this setup to make things more simple...

Here is a picture of the assembly in real life (rather than the line drawing).

You can see what a lovely spot I picked to dry out on! ha ha

It was like quicksand!

Attached Images

PropNutAndZinc.jpg (91.8 KB, 39 views)

Sully, is that bottom paint on the sail drive and prop?

Sure is. Are you saying you wouldn't put anti-fouling on the saildrive leg and prop?

Yes I've been told to never put bottom paint on a sail drive leg or prop. Especially if your, bottom paint contains copper. There are special primers and paints used on sail drive legs and props. Could be your zincs are going a little faster than they should. I've heard differing opinions so it's not set in stone. But every yard I've been at specifically informs owners especially at DIY yards not to do it. I can't remember exactly what primer and paint product I used the last time but it came in a spray can and it was enough to coat both sail drives twice. Though i think next time I'll hit them with another two extra coats. I check into it and see what it was.

PS I haven't seen these and there's no pic on the website but I'd like to see what it looks like.

YANMAR MARINE ENGINE | Yanmar 2 piece Sail Drive Zinc Kit | 099-SAILDRIVEKIT from the ShipStore.com ™ on-line catalog.

You're completely correct, Tellie. I was just testing you.

You can't put copper paints on aluminum or you will end up with not much aluminum left.

Of course, the paint on the saildrive and props is specially formulate (EXPENSIVE) paint just for stern-drives and other aluminum parts underwater. I have the saildrives painted blue while my regular bottom is black to avoid any cross-contamination in applying the paints and for the benefit of a theoretical future owner. I hope someone would stop and think for a couple seconds when they notice the mis-match colors.

I think the paint I used was an Interlux brand.

But yes, I agree. Never put copper paints on aluminum.

Very interesting. It sure would be interesting to see what these look like. I was thinking of maybe just mounting zincs to the leg or something... but I'm not sure right now so I'm just going to haul and do it all the right way. Next time, I may try something different, if I don't put the boat on the market. I'm still wrestling with the idea of building or buying something that I can afford, rather than something that is on a loan.

[quote=Sully;12800]You're completely correct, Tellie. I was just testing you.



Oh yeah sure. Geesh Sully Couldn't you come up with a better retort like "Nanny nanny Boo boo"?
I was a bit surprised that you didn't know that but I shoulda known you did. But I would love to get a pic of that kit for the two piece zinc. All I could find as of now was that ShipStore.com site. A bit pricey, but in a situation far from help and the concern of breaking the prop shaft with too much torque it seems like a solution.

Thanks for the tip on the 2 part zinc, Tellie.

It looks expensive, but it also looks like this is a price for a kit, which, I assume, will change the configuration of the saildrive a bit so that you can easily change the zincs. Well worth its price if it can do that.

Good find. Thanks!