Trim tab zinc issue?

[dfish28]

Noticed a problem with our tab zincs wearing away rapidly, the rectangular tab that mounts on the tab to piston bracket are decaying rapidly.like gone in 2 months rapid... The other thing is last set was more on the starboard side, this time it's the port side with the issue! Any ideas guys I'm all ears for any possibilities!!
Thanks in advance

[Gerry Zagorski]

Do you keep your boat slipped in a Marina D?? If so it might be caused by one of your boat neighbors or the dock wiring introducing stray electrical currents into the water. This is usually caused by a boat or the docks not being wired correctly.

Typical culprits are people using standard 110 3 prong plugs rather than shore power cords to run their battery chargers.

You might also make sure your boat bonding system is working correctly. If the rest of your zincs are not showing ware, it could be that the bonding wires to those other zincs are not making good contact so the stray current is attracted to the zinc on your tab that is bonded correctly.

I would check all the bonding system connections and make sure they are not corroded. They are typically green wires that run to anything metal below the water line and are all run back all to one comon place to ground them. Check the connections on both sides.

I would also see if other boats in your general area are having the same issue you are... If so then it's got to be a another boat in the area or an issue with how the docks are wired.

These sorts of problems are tough to find and your best bet is to make sure your bonding system is in good order along with changing the zincs when needed. You have to be very diligent about finding the issue or replacing your zincs. Had a friend of mine who was having an issue he left unchecked a few years back... By the end of one season, he ended up having to replace both his outboard engine mounts because they got eaten away so bad.

[dfish28]

Ya I was goin on stray current given there is a cable crossing not too far from us but others seem not to be effected from it although they all have their tabs painted... In the end I'm sure ill be stuffing my arms back in the tight a$$ hatches again... When it cools down. We have no shore power so that is not the culprit.

Thanks Gerry ,for the input

[Capt. Debbie]

Funny your neigbors. Painted zincs do NOTHING. The submerged boat metal is being eatten away quickly.

If it favors one side that is the direction of the stray current. Likely is close by. Way to find is start disconnecting shore powers of neighors and see if it stops.

There a few good stories on the Internet to get some background.

[Flukemeister1]

I know this is from the summer but just read it. You want to make sure this gets cleared up properly from a stray voltage in the water stand point. The real danger is if someone wants to go swimming or falls in or just reaches into the water. Electrocution can occur. Bad wiring from the docks or as Captain Frank said from improper power feed to the boat can cause leathal problems. Speak with your dockmaster and get this straightened out before it's your hair being straightened.

[dfish28]

Appreciate the heads up , unfortunately we don't have power on our dock, when I get some time ill get in and test/check the bonding, believe its the ground to the thruhull from the tabs... When it slows down...