Tabs

[KG]

Anyone have issues with the trims tab zinc's...doing there jobs but seem to be going quicker than normal. It may be a ground issue or something?? I also wondered about the tabs themselves needing a coat of antifouling paint on them?
Does anyone have a good contact for replacing the "LENCO" tab zinc or have you all been going directly through the company?
Thanks

 

[DaleH]

From my experience that means there's a TON of stray electrical current around your hull. I also use a 3.x inch "rudder" zinc instead of those Bennett thingies, see picture below. I installed mine centered on the tab, but I have different planes.

Do a search on painting tabs, but I think we've beat it to death here and for the best results, the planes need to be heavily sanded and have a 2-part epoxy barrier coat put in them. But NEVER paint where the tab zinc will go, as the zinc anode must be in full contact with the parent metal installed upon. I go as far as sanding the flat parts of the rudder zincs on metal paper/crocus cloth to ensure good bonding.

 

[KG]

After the planes are sanded, would a antifouling paint work compared to a 2-part epoxy barrier coat? Is this coat like a primer to hold the antifouling paint?
Thanks for the advice on the zinc/surface area's.

 

[ReelyNauti]

i must be lucky or something like that

My trim tabs are factory on my 2820, they were coated with 47% copper ablative and only had two tiny spots on which it came off so ill give it a shot again. Ill keep you posted, end of may is the short haul for 100 hr service is do then or there abouts..

 

[Megabyte]

No paint under the zinc (metal to metal contact), and no paint over the zinc.

 

[KG]

Let me know about that 100hr service. My tabs are flush to the hull, I have seen growth effect the motors on types like this where the motor is retracting against whatever growth is b/w hull and tab. I am in the merchant marines and do not know what the hell made me invest in a boat to use in my off time?? Fish I guess....
Thanks again everyone!