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  1. Steve DAntonio

    Propeller Shaft Zinc Reality Check

    I'm not saying it's impossible, just unusual to have reliable, consistent and long-lasting continuity of less than one ohm, which you can rely on for cathodic protection. If you test it shortly after a vessel has been run, in a haul out for instance, it might have continuity, but does it last...
  2. Steve DAntonio

    Propeller Shaft Zinc Reality Check

    Bonding is no guarantor against stray current corrosion, it just makes it less likely. Current is still traveling through water, which is high resistance, and thus enough current flow may not be present to trip a breaker or blow a fuse. Stray current corrosion is statistically rare, much rarer...
  3. Steve DAntonio

    Propeller Shaft Zinc Reality Check

    I realize copying is convenient, however, I grew weary of sending emails to individuals and websites that were lifting my work, sometimes with attribution and sometimes without, but always without permission. Therefore, I chose to make copying from the site more difficult.
  4. Steve DAntonio

    Propeller Shaft Zinc Reality Check

    One of several reasons to bond is to mitigate or prevent stray current corrosion. If bonded, there is a more direct, lower resistance path back to the source, which will hopefully cause a fuse to blow, or circuit breaker to trip.
  5. Steve DAntonio

    Propeller Shaft Zinc Reality Check

    I know I sound like a broken record with these responses but, a reference cell test will tell you everything you need to know, no guess work. More here Reference Cell Testing; Know Thy Corrosion Protection Level – Editorial: Old vs. New | Steve D'Antonio Marine Consulting and here...
  6. Steve DAntonio

    questions from crimping wires

    That's fine too. One weakness with heat shrink terminals is the tendency for them to be pierced by the crimping die, so when they are heated, the pierce grows in size, which means you have a hole in the otherwise waterproof membrane. You should test your crimping tool to make sure this will...
  7. Steve DAntonio

    Internal vs. "South Bay" strainers?

    Great South Bay, south shore of Long Island.
  8. Steve DAntonio

    Internal vs. "South Bay" strainers?

    Coarse hull "south bay" strainers are fine, the strake variety, but not in place of an internal "fine" strainer. I'm less enthusiastic to the ones with many small holes, as they are easily clogged with growth or anti-fouling paint. Some guidance on external and internal strainers below. Side...
  9. Steve DAntonio

    questions from crimping wires

    No problem with using heat shrink terminals, however, in the boat building and repair world they are the exception. They are time consuming to install, and more costly for full vessel use. Again, no harm in using them, but it's over-kill to use them everywhere. For wet areas, like bilge pumps...
  10. Steve DAntonio

    Tri Clamp or Threaded Ball Valves

    I would absolutely avoid stainless steel for this application, even 316L. As robust as stainless is, for continuously immersed applications it is prone to crevice corrosion and leakage. I have lost count of the number of stainless raw water plumbing fittings I have seen corrode, leak and fail...
  11. Steve DAntonio

    questions from crimping wires

    Likewise, Nylon are superior in that they are less likely to crack, and be pierced by an overly aggressive crimping tool, or the person doing the crimps if using a non ratcheting tool. A very common error is to use the non-insulated die for insulated crimps, many new vessels I inspect have this...
  12. Steve DAntonio

    oil pan replacement concerns

    It's Karl Fischer test, How to Measure Water In Oil Funny, one poster says, "looks clean" and the other says, "looks like it's been submerged"...:-) None of this should be guesswork. If water has been inside the engine you may see evidence of it under the valve cover (look through the fill...
  13. Steve DAntonio

    questions from crimping wires

    Data overload to be sure, however, here's a bit more. As a former marine electrician I've written about and blogged on this subject many times. These guides may be helpful. Crimping Etiquette – Editorial: CO Poisoning Misinformation | Steve D'Antonio Marine Consulting Recently released...
  14. Steve DAntonio

    Luggers and Napa auto parts

    That is correct, NL is very demanding when it comes to the parts they will use. Their oil filters have an uprated bypass valve that doesn't open when the oil is cold, which would otherwise allow accumulated and unfiltered debris to enter the oil gallery. Also, be careful with spin on filters...
  15. Steve DAntonio

    Need shaft alignment

    That's not a Drive Saver, but as others have said, I would still ditch it, these are simply an excuse to avoid proper alignment, and you can't check alignment with the flexible coupling in place. The shaft coupling does not need to be removed, however, if you suspect its face is not...
  16. Steve DAntonio

    Anodes crusty - still working?

    A belt-driven grease pump?! That sounds interesting, what regulates it? What keeps the log from becoming mass of emulsified water and grease. Keeping the inside of the shaft log from rusting on a steel vessel is a challenge, filling with oil or grease is one solution, as is Seatorque, see...
  17. Steve DAntonio

    Aluminum/Zinc Anodes

    Late to the game but I would second the use of aluminum anodes. However, I have had some cases where aluminum pencils develop a frothy coating, which had no effect on their performance (tested with a ref cell), however, it can make them difficult to remove. Therefore, if you go with aluminum...
  18. Steve DAntonio

    Anodes crusty - still working?

    Sounds good, you can't go wrong with ref cell testing. Based on your design it does sound as if you are well-encapsulated. Did you say you have an oil-filled shaft log? Is it an off the shelf product or custom made by the builder? Contrary to popular belief, there is typically no interaction...
  19. Steve DAntonio

    Anodes crusty - still working?

    I don't doubt the veracity of your anecdotal observations. However, bronze, for instance, is naturally corrosion resistant, and technically needs no cathodic protection (sacrificial anodes) to remain corrosion resistant. Some boat builders install bonding systems and hull anodes, and connect...
  20. Steve DAntonio

    Anodes crusty - still working?

    Indeed, I should have qualified that statement, if the anode lasts a year, with no signs of consumption, it almost certainly is not working. Anodes should be replaced when no more than 50% depleted. I'm not sure I've seen a properly functioning anode experience less than 50% depletion over...
  21. Steve DAntonio

    Collapsed motor mount?

    Agree with Tanglewood, you should have adjustment above and below engine bracket on the mount stud. This article on alignment of both engine and shaft may be helpful https://stevedmarineconsulting.com/the-ins-and-outs-of-engine-and-shaft-alignment/ As well as this one on motor mounts...
  22. Steve DAntonio

    Survey and haulout

    A colleague of mine penned these articles on this subject... Haul or nothing= https://jmys.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PMM-TT-Sept-2023-Haul-or-Nothing.pdf All about the survey = https://jmys.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/PMM-May-June-2022-survey.pdf
  23. Steve DAntonio

    Survey and haulout

    A few years ago there was an article about a claim for a total loss of a vessel, if I recall a 30 something foot Sea Ray. The owner allowed her son or nephew, I can't recall, to move the vessel from a dock to a haul out location, he ran it aground, holed it and it sank. The insurance company...
  24. Steve DAntonio

    Anodes crusty - still working?

    Performance Metals supplies aluminum anodes exclusively, including pencils. They led the charge on aluminum as a superior anode. The only issue I have encountered is, with aluminum, they can develop a 'froth' which does not hinder performance, but it can make removal of a pencil anode...
  25. Steve DAntonio

    Seacock Grease

    Lubrimatic Corrosion Control Marine https://www.lubrimatic.com/grease
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