Dear Kent:

I too am shocked at the state of  your prop shaft.  I looked for the diagram of the C-drive in my files, as I too have seen a drawing of it recently, but I can't find it.  Here is a link to a photo of the C-drive (I think you may have posted it) if that will help. 

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/amelyachtowners/photos/albums/805005311/lightbox/1478115671

 It appears there is access to the shaft and bearings of the C-drive from the forward end but probably this is glassed in and I am not sure how you remove the C-drive housing.  I think you are going to need to have a serious discussion with Amel as to how to proceed.  I will continue to look thru the photos and files sections of this forum as I am pretty sure the diagram is on this forum somewhere. 

As for zincs, mine last about two seasons (only in the water for 6 months at a time due to hurricane haul out annually.  Whenever I leave the boat in a marina I DO NOT leave it plugged in to shore power.  I have the caretaker plug it in once a month for 6 hours to really top up the batteries, but otherwise depend on some small solar panels to keep the batteries trickle charged.

One time I asked Amel why they used the red plastic cap on the auto prop rather than placing a zinc there.  Their reply was that it was un-necessary and that you can "over-zinc" the boat.  I wasn't really sure as to the logic behind either of those answers but seeing as they were the experts and I was the novice I didn't press for more details.

I wish you the best.

Gary Silver

s/v Liahona   currently at Jolly Harbor