putting on barrel zinc anodes

[Terry Forshier]

While scraping the prop last week I saw my zincs were just gone from the prop shaft.  I have an electric Hooka so thought this will be easy. I went to the store and bought 2 zinc barrels to put on. My canal is so dirty now that the rainy season is here I thought I would just go out into the bay where the water is cleaner and just dive under and screw them on. Now I can hold my breath for a minute just standing here and i was on the college swim team so I assumed this would be a piece of cake. Not so. After several tries in the somewhat clearer water, (still not really clear) I dropped one of the zinc halves. I just could not hold my breath long enough to get down , set the zinc, then find the hole and screw it in. Is there some secret to this that can make these easier to put on? I mean like do they snap them on with velcrow first or what?. Just thought maybe someone here might have found an easier way.

[Ken Heyman]

Terry,

One method that will definitely work is to hire a 21 year old pearl diver.
Perhaps a bottom cleaning service could get this done for you. I have made it a policy that I don't go up the mast nor dive under the boat unless my life depends on it. I zinc that is the safest approach

Good luck,

Ken

[Ken Juul]

Terry,
I'm confused. If you have a Hooka why were you holding your breath?  Or do you mean you have one but didn't use it.

I've been a recreational diver for years.  I tried to clean my prop/shaft/boat bottom once. Working under water is entirey different than sport diving.  Even clear water becomes cloudy fast.  I don't mind giving my prop a mid summer scrub, but the big jobs are going to a diver or the boat is coming out of the water.

[Terry Forshier]

ok, yes I have an electric hooka but did not think I would need to use it for this job. I have to take that and the Honda 2000 on board to hook it all up and that is what I should have done. I thought the clearer water would be worth the try just free diving. Afraid not. As for me, I am a farm boy, a former scout executive /wilderness trained/ outdoor person that at 66 thinks he can still do whatever wants. As long as I can still do things unafraid i will try. I even went half way up the mast this year. I hated that but did it.
I am not knocking those who hire these thigs done but for me I wish to be as self reliant as I can be.

[Terry Forshier]

final report. I hooked up the hooka and had the zinc on in 3 or 4 minutes. Guess it was just the fact of holding my breath that made it so difficult. that and the fact that in that bay a few years ago i watched a huge shark hit about a  5 foot tarpon and drive him clear out of the water before having his lunch on him. It makes my heart race pretty fast when i dive under the boat in there now. I put the zinc on with the boat in the canal behind the house.