NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums

Boating => Boating General Discussions => Topic started by: Still Running on March 03, 2010, 08:06:57 AM

Title: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Still Running on March 03, 2010, 08:06:57 AM
The zincs I put on my trim tabs last year fell off by July. I used the 2 3/16 ones pictured below. I think the bolt is what let go. What zinc do you use on your tabs?
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Capt. Carl on March 03, 2010, 08:32:46 AM
almost the same ones that i use rick....i usually check those once a season or if i haul out for any reason. never had them let go yet tho....the ones i use may be 3 inch tho
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: CapBob on March 03, 2010, 09:33:55 AM
Use the same on my boat except 3".......

There might be a problem with electrolysis and it might not be from your boat, could be one of your neighbors and thats why the anode was gone, or could have been the bolt (but never had that happen).

Make sure when you put them on it is bare metal where the anode goes. t^
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Still Running on March 03, 2010, 06:33:28 PM
 t^ I will try the bigger one this year. The thing is both of them were gone about the same time.


Maybe my neighbor took them Carl???  rofla
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hotrod on March 03, 2010, 06:42:00 PM
I need to replace mine this yea.  what should I expect to pay for them?
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Still Running on March 03, 2010, 06:59:56 PM
I can't remember Rod but I think they were under $10.00 ea
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hotrod on March 03, 2010, 07:26:35 PM
Cool,, then I'll just tell them to replace them t^
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: CaptRandy on March 05, 2010, 03:21:25 PM
I use 5" discs, last from April to Dec.
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hunter 2 on March 22, 2010, 09:12:16 PM
I replaced mine yearly for around $10 each for zincs around 3 1/2". I have a bigger one on the rudder.   I think Ricks are decaying too fast.
When I remove my old zincs they still have more then half material left.
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: PeggyLee on March 22, 2010, 09:57:25 PM
Sounds like somebody has some stray electric in the vacinity of your boat. nosmly   smk
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Maritime Matt on March 23, 2010, 08:22:04 AM
I use the same on my Lenco tabs and have never seen both gone. Never had bolts fall out of these and I've installed literally hundreds of these during spring commissioning. Sounds like a major electrolysis problem. Could be your boat, marina, dock mate etc.
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Still Running on March 23, 2010, 08:49:02 AM
I picked up 3" Zincs this year, same marina and a bifferent slip.
Will see what happens...
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Still Running on March 23, 2010, 09:17:34 AM
I picked up 3" Zincs this year, same marina and a bifferent slip.
Will see what happens...

be sure the wiring to the bilge pumps,it's not wet...this is the most common cause for a stray current corrosion...
now,dumb question...

engine zincs,they burnt too ?? as quickly as the tabs ??


Not at all
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hunter 2 on March 23, 2010, 07:31:59 PM
Good info Jawz.
Most trim tabs are stainless steel right? Like my old Bennetts??
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Tacklebox Joe on March 23, 2010, 10:43:41 PM
i used an anti-fouling paint and left no "gaps". So, i'm good jawz?
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Tacklebox Joe on March 23, 2010, 11:00:03 PM
thanks jawz.....oops. what do you recommend i do now. Sand the paint?
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hotrod on March 23, 2010, 11:07:51 PM
 fcp ;D
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Tacklebox Joe on March 23, 2010, 11:15:42 PM
hey rod you should've gave me one of these  smk

or maybe a  thud

dam and I thought I had my what to do list covered.
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hunter 2 on March 24, 2010, 08:50:20 PM
Good info Jawz.
Most trim tabs are stainless steel right? Like my old Bennetts??

tabs are generally stainless steel.some boat mfg's do not "bond" the tabs-meaning,the tabs are not tied into ship's ground.meaning again,if the tabs are not bonded,putting a zinc on them is useless,the zinc will do nothing,as there's not electrical contact anywhere...

it's reccomended to have a gap of at least 1" around these as well...


i know,this sounds really stupid..but,replacing trim units,trim tabs,aluminum outboard brackets-all this gets real expensive...



This is true on my boat. No bonding and only hydraulic lines going to the tabs. The previous owner had zincs on them anyway.
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Still Running on March 25, 2010, 12:48:39 PM
That is how mine was done also.  rgmn
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: IrishAyes on March 25, 2010, 04:09:34 PM
So what you are saying is: I have been wasting $15-20 each year for 14 years by putting zincs on my trim tabs?!  cfzd Damn, that sucks!!!  thud
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hotrod on March 25, 2010, 04:11:41 PM
 Ok Now I'm lost......5hrug So I shouldn't replace Mine 5hrug  Looks like a factory Installed Zincs...
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hotrod on March 25, 2010, 06:15:10 PM
Ah.....
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: IrishAyes on March 25, 2010, 06:36:49 PM
Gotchya Jim.

I actually don't really know if my tabs are bonded (never checked to see, had no reason that I knew of to check but will now) but the zincs are definately being eroded over the season. I will continue to use them.

(This is why I don't have a JOE'S MARINE SERVICE shingle hanging from my wall.  TT^)

Thanks for keeping us informed.  t^ slt
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hotrod on March 25, 2010, 06:51:19 PM
 whs whs whs
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Still Running on March 28, 2010, 08:22:58 AM
Correct me if I am wrong but
I thought the bond system is a ground wire that runs from one zinc anode to all of the metal items on the boat. Such as the engine, ground stud on electronics and t-top or arch etc…
If that is true, that would protect all of the items with that one anode Right?
Title: Re: Trim Tabs Zinc?
Post by: Hunter 2 on March 28, 2010, 12:26:35 PM
You can check if your trim tabs are bonded to a ground wire by doing a continuity test from one trim tab to the other. If the meter reads continuity then the trim tabs are bonded together and most likely grounded to the boats ground system.