Trim tabs and zincs

[joe wojo]

I pulled my 48 in Sept for its winter vacation from the family. then I noticed my trim tabs were not looking too healthy. the spot welds from the L bracked to the running surface had come apart on a few. I checked with formula and they said talk to Bennett. so i did, they said send pics, so I did, After looking at the pics they said "you don't have any zincs on those tabs" I said the boat has a bonding system and everything is linked. Unfortunately the trim tabs are NOT linked and the electrolisys is what caused the welds to come apart. Easy fix with a couple of stainless nuts and bolts, but future reference make sure you put zincs on your tabs before you splash this spring. I think Formula should have put them from the beginning so I would have known they need them but whatever.

joe.

 

[GSENT]

I AM SURPRISED BENNETT DID NOT SEND YOU NEW ONES AT NO CHARGE. THEY ARE A GREAT COMPANY THAT GOES OVER THE TOP TO HELP YOU. MY 94 HAD A LEAKING CYLINDER. AFTER CALLING THEM FOR A REBUILD KIT, THEY SENT ME A NEW CYLINDER AT NO CHARGE. BOAT WAS 9 YEARS OLD.
THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON WETHER TO INSTAL ANODES ON TABS. MY OPINION IS THAT IF THEY ARE PART OF THE BONDING SYSTEM, THAN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED. IF THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE BONDING SYSTEM, THAN MAKE THEM PART, BY ADDING A GREEN #8 BONDING WIRE TO THE LONG SCREW INSIDE, ATTACHED TO YOUR GROUND BLOCK.
I REALLY THINK THAT IF ANODES WERE MEANT TO BE ON THE TABS, THAN A HOLE WOULD HAVE BEEN SUPPLIED BY BENNETT OR OTHER MANUFACTURERS TO INSTALL ONE.

 

[joe wojo]

when I spoke to Bennett they pretty much said because it was electrolisys and not a manufactur blunder tough luck. no big deal I can just drill a hole and put a zinc on it for the future. But everyone should check and make sure theirs are properly bonded or zinc'd.