I took the end cap off the heat exchanger and fished around for the old zinc. Didn't feel it but that doesn't mean it's not in there or maybe gone? Anyways, got a new one in there.
In my boat, the genset is an essential piece of equipment to cruising. If I need to anchor, no genset, no frig because I don't have an inverter and the battery will only last overnight with the 12v frig.
Jeff,
I consider the inverter essential also, however, one can get along without if they don't need to run any 110v appliances when without power. This probably means computer, perhaps some TVs, micro, coffee maker, etc. But there are workarounds.
When your charger fails, consider putting in an inverter.
You might also consider updating your battery bank. I've got (4) 6v Lifeline batteries (series and parallel), which give me 220a (half the battery power). That's not a lot but plenty for an overnight, run the 12v fridge and a 12v freezer/cooler, make coffee and micro lunch.
So, I've had many overnights where I get all of the above done, start the engine and carry on. Now, if I hang there all day, I'll crank the genny, OR, if my next leg is relative short and not enough time to top the batteries, I'll plan on running the genny at the next stop.
However, I've gotten along for five days, no genny and all on the hook.