[C320-list] Leaving the 320 list

[Bruce Heyman]

Allan,
What you did by unplugging the cord does and should have helped.  When the
breaker trips it only interrupts the black (hot) side of the circuit.  The
white (neutral) and green (ground) remain connected.  The problem occurs
when the dock and or the boat are wired incorrectly.  Common errors are that
the ground and neutral are connected in inappropriate places and the white
and black are flipped.
Neighbors that are unplugged are good!
Bruce
Somerset #671 SoCal

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan Field
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 9:01 AM
To: 'C320-List'
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Leaving the 320 list

John - We will miss you on the List but best wishes with your new boat.  As
for zincs, I put 2 new zincs on the shaft every other year and there is
virtually no deterioration when I haul the boat every other year.  I only
replace the 2 olds one because the boat is out and I don't want to try and
push for 4 years on a pair of zincs.

But I believe that zinc-eating is more a function of either the presence of
or lack of stray current in the Marina.  For example, a boat about 10 away
from me reports that they go through a zinc completely in less than one
season.  The boat next to this boat is basically abandoned but remains
plugged into shore power year round.  We found that the breaker to this
abandoned boat was tripped so we unplugged the boat and left it that way.  I
don't know of a scientific way to know if this will make a difference to the
other boat but our collective guess is that it should help.  

To further complicate things, our dock was completely removed several weeks
ago and when we return in the spring, we will have a new dock.  I talked
with the owner of the abandoned boat a few days ago and at this time it does
not look like he will be back.  

Hope this helps and more importantly, generates discussion as to exactly
what does cause zinc deterioration.

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of John Van Vessem
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 10:58 AM
To: C320-List
Subject: [C320-list] Leaving the 320 list

To all my friends on the 320 list I just want to say what an educational
pleasure it has been to read these conversations, I am moving to a 36 and
hope to join their list if they have one.  I'm going to miss my 320 it has
been an incredible boat and the whole reason I'm sticking with Catalina.  
 
Before I leave I need to tell you about a recent experience.  My 320 was
surveyed for the new owner and when we hauled it out of the water we found
that the bronze shaft had corroded down by about 1/8 inch in diameter, the
zinc was missing and was only 10 months old.  Bottom line I had to spring
for a new shaft, stainless this time.  Replacing the zincs has not been in
my standard maintenance routine.  But after talking to the 320 dealer he
suggested that the zincs be replaced every couple of months.  I'd like to
hear what other people have experienced who keep their boat in the water all
year.  
 
John Van Vessem
Sojourn 645
Vallejo Yacht Club