Dock Chat with Shane McCall: Diving, Zincs, and Underwater Maintenance

We’re back on the fuel dock at Elliott Bay Marina for a dockside conversation about the stuff you don’t see—what’s happening underneath your boat.We’re joined by Shane McCall of Emerald City Diving, one of Seattle’s go-to dive teams for underwater boat work. Shane breaks down the real-world maintenance schedule for saltwater moorage, what “zincs” actually means (and why anode material matters), how to spot early warning signs like corrosion and “haloing,” and why using your boat more often can actually reduce certain problems.We also get into props and running gear: what happens when you snag a crab pot or line, whether cutters like Shaft Sharks or Spurs really help, and how divers pull and reinstall props (yes—tight enough) without a haul-out.If you’ve ever wondered how often you should be diving, what you should be paying attention to, or what a good diver should be checking every visit—this one’s for you.In this episode:What anodes do (and why “zincs” isn’t always the right answer)Saltwater vs freshwater maintenance expectationsPropspeed vs other coatings Electrolysis, corrosion, and common issues divers see in Seattle marinasLines/crab pots on props: how fast damage happens and what to doWhat to look for when hiring a dive serviceUnusual recovery stories (dentures included)Guest: Shane McCall, Emerald City Diving (Seattle) Location: Elliott Bay Marina fuel dockEmerald City Diving206-789-8000emeraldcitydiving.com