We checked our zinc bonding system today with a corrosion tester we have at the yacht club. We typically do this annually in the spring about 2 weeks after changing our zincs to make sure they are working effectively. Without getting technical, the tester (volt meter) is connected to an electrode that is placed outboard in the water, while the other electrode is used to systematically clamp onto the various boat parts that are connected to the bonding system, such as rudder post, struts, thru hull fittings, shafts , and engines. (There are at least 14 connection points on our system). Observations during the test indicated that all connection points were adequately protected except three: port rudder post, one thru hull fitting, and the starboard strainer. The rudder post bonding wire connection had come loose (don't know why), and the other two just had bad connections to the bonding wire which needed to be cleaned up.
So, just changing your zincs annually may not be enough. You also need to make sure all of your connections are good, or parts of your boat will be freely corroding, even though you have new zincs and a bonding system. How many boaters out there are regularly checking this? Actually, I will be stepping up my program to twice each year. Doing it in the late fall will also confirm whether I have sufficient protection left after the summer to last thru the winter. If the fall protection reading shows up as marginal, another zinc change will be needed for protection until spring if the boat is kept in salt water.
It would be interesting to hear what other BOC members do to ensure the their bonding system continues to work effectively. How many do not check?
So, just changing your zincs annually may not be enough. You also need to make sure all of your connections are good, or parts of your boat will be freely corroding, even though you have new zincs and a bonding system. How many boaters out there are regularly checking this? Actually, I will be stepping up my program to twice each year. Doing it in the late fall will also confirm whether I have sufficient protection left after the summer to last thru the winter. If the fall protection reading shows up as marginal, another zinc change will be needed for protection until spring if the boat is kept in salt water.
It would be interesting to hear what other BOC members do to ensure the their bonding system continues to work effectively. How many do not check?
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