Electrolysis and the Prop (Friday - May 07, 2010)

This is a red prop. This is not good. It is important to put zincs on your boat, especially while in a marina because otherwise your prop might look like this! Whenever different metals are placed in a conductive liquid, such as salt water, a ‘battery’ is created. Electrolysis is what happens as the current tries to equalize. The process removes metal from one of the conduits... in this case, it was HOTSPUR’s prop. However, if a sacrificial anode (or ‘zinc’) is placed in the water, that becomes the target and NOT your expensive equipment. Unfortunately, HOTSPUR was neglected and zincs were not considered prior to us acquiring her. On the bright side, our through-hulls (another target) are not corroded. One is broken and another needs to be loosened, but they don’t need to be replaced due to electrolysis. Corroded through-hulls produce blub... blub...blub!

Fortunately, we have a feathering prop that we want to put on HOTSPUR. Alas, the drive shaft will have to be replaced and for two reasons: first, the feathering prop won’t fit on the drive shaft we have. Second, the drive shaft is slightly bent. Jim noticed the bend when we paid to have the engine aligned. We were told it was no big deal. However, the packing gland kept getting really hot and it is clear that the transmission seal won’t last long at this rate... much less the coupler... friction. Long story... we will have to have a new drive shaft installed and have engine re-aligned. *sound of money flush...flush...flush!*

We have been told we will splash on Thursday... I don’t think that can possibly happen. We still have the base coat and anti-fouling paint to do... and that has to cure. Not to mention... the drive shaft hasn’t been replaced. Okay... time to haul another load of dishes to the Singlar facilities!