Zincs - which mfgr today?

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mar 16th, '12, 09:29

I am about to buy shaft, rudder and trim tab zincs for "Phoenix".

I have searched here for recommendations about which mfgrs to use, but all I can find is that American zincs are supposed to be better than Canadian. Most of the info is from 6-8 years ago, and with our crappy economy I assume some mfgrs might no longer be in business, or product quality may have suffered.

Whose zincs are recommended these days?

Thanks for your comments/suggestions.

Craig Mac · Post by **Craig Mac** » Mar 16th, '12, 10:20

Where I live, Long Island, NY-----the propeller shops seem to carry the better quality zinc.

The general marine stores carry the junk.

In Memory of Vicroy · Post by **In Memory of Vicroy** » Mar 16th, '12, 10:26

I use the Camp zincs from Hamilton Marine in Maine...they have the copper buttons in them to make good shaft contact. I bought the do-nut style shaft zincs last time by mistake and they cost me a knot.

UV

Russ Pagels · Post by **Russ Pagels** » Mar 16th, '12, 10:26

Frank I don't know a thing about them , but just got this in the mail

www.boatzincs.com

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Mar 16th, '12, 10:32

I prefer B&S Zincs...aside from them Martyr and Camp.

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Mar 16th, '12, 10:35

Camp Zincs are still the best, but be aware that many companies, including Camp, are starting to follow the trend of going over to aluminum as a sacrifical metal. Be sure that you are getting zinc, not aluminum. Tree hugger thing...

Also, shaft collar zincs wear faster than static zincs due to cavitation.

Charlie J · Post by **Charlie J** » Mar 16th, '12, 11:28

ive been using camp for years, make shure the shaft zincs have the 2 allen screws on them, the 1 screw sucks, and you end up loosing the zinc

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Mar 16th, '12, 11:55

I have bought mine from

boatzincs.com

now for several years. They are fast and esy to deal with. I also hooked up a fellow from Aus on the 25 board a year or two ago and he was able to buy internationally from them without a problem.

Most Mercruiser "zincs" are all aluminum now. That doesn't effect you 31 drivers much but it is a bit a trivia that may be handy to know. A few years back I drove myself crazy trying to find zinc annodes for my drives only to discover Mercruiser had changed to aluminum for all GenII drives.

Peter

mike ohlstein · Post by **mike ohlstein** » Mar 16th, '12, 12:04

Sacrificial aluminum on an aluminum outdrive?

Sounds like job security..........

Obviously different compounds, but how much more noble could one be?

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Mar 16th, '12, 12:24

mike ohlstein wrote:Sacrificial aluminum on an aluminum outdrive?

Sounds like job security..........

Obviously different compounds, but how much more noble could one be?

They're going to have to keep zinc available for protection on aluminum hulls, outboards and outdrives. My guess is that it will end up like the clear spray tin bottom paint; outlawed for any thing other than aluminum. And then the push will still be from the PITA & Sierra butt wipes to outlaw zincs altogether.

BTW, did everybody stock up on your 100 watt incandescents?

In Memory Walter K · Post by **In Memory Walter K** » Mar 16th, '12, 12:33

ALL of Mercruisers outdrive "zincs" are now aluminum. A set for an Alpha 1 is composed of at least 6 pieces for one outdrive.

Dug · Post by **Dug** » Mar 16th, '12, 13:50

I am a huge fan of Godfrey zincs. They are sold by New England Propellor.

They are awesome as they have a ring of brass that keeps them from falling off pre-maturely or spinning. They really are great.

http://www.neprop.com/Zincs.htm

and

http://godfreyboatzincs.com/

Take a look. I cut from 4 shaft zincs to two, because they last so much longer by not falling off or spinning.

Dug

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Mar 16th, '12, 14:18

Been using these folks for eons. Camp zincs, good prices, great service.
http://www.usazincs.com/store/home.php

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Mar 16th, '12, 15:07

Dug wrote:I am a huge fan of Godfrey zincs. They are sold by New England Propellor.

They are awesome as they have a ring of brass that keeps them from falling off pre-maturely or spinning. They really are great.

http://www.neprop.com/Zincs.htm

and

http://godfreyboatzincs.com/

Take a look. I cut from 4 shaft zincs to two, because they last so much longer by not falling off or spinning.

Dug

I USED to a fan of Godfrey zincs. Two years ago, I had one crack when I hit it with a bronze hammer to seat it. For $37 I expect better than that. Last year I had one that showed absolutely ZERO wear after a solid year in the water. (I stay in year round) Another $37 gone. I'm back to Camp zincs.
Al

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mar 17th, '12, 09:07

Thanks all for the good info. I am happy to say that after about 15 months of "Phoenix" being on the hard in an indoor "boatyard" with me working on her about 20 hours a week most of the time, and prior to that about 2 years of my working on her off and on in my slip near my house zincs have come up to the top of my immediate To Do list!. Spring has sprung here and summer can't be far behind!

Dug · Post by **Dug** » Mar 17th, '12, 14:13

Al,

Did you talk to either NE prop or Godfrey?

I had one that was not machined right, and took it back to NE prop. They replaced it immediately.

I get the feeling it is a small company, and that they are good to support the customers...

Dug

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Mar 18th, '12, 15:02

Dug,
first one I bought from Gary at Ward marine. Second one was from Boats & Motors in Wakefield. (Mom & pop shop, EXCELLENT people). I usually stay in for three years at a time. That means the water temp is usually in the fifties when I am changing zincs. Besides Camp I also like Marshall zincs. That Godfrey I pulled off last Nov. looked absolutely brand new. I installed it the previous Nov. The Godfreys were installed closest to the struts. About 6" above that were Marshalls. The Marshalls & one Godfrey wore normally. I can understand a zinc having an internal crack from the casting. I cannot understand a zinc NOT being the right metal. That says to me the quality control is not there. Plus, the other zincs are less than half the cost of the Godfreys.
Al

bertram31.com

Zincs - which mfgr today?

Zincs - which mfgr today?

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