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Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board
Dissimilar Metals
Posted By: Alex Moore
Date: Monday, 25 October 2004, at 9:43 a.m.
My friend has some questions that you guys can answer better I can. Even though the questions are about his sail boat, the issue of dissimilar metals is applicable to the Faithful.
Two steel U-channel beams support the mast shrouds. Each about three feet long and 4 inches wide, looks like 1/4 inch steel. They are badly corroded and need to be replaced. The same steel material was used for the mast step, which has also pretty much dissolved. This indicates a lot of galvanic activity.
My friend has seen in the classified ads for the same boat that people have replaced the original steel mast step with aluminum, evidently to stop the corrosion.
My friend's questions are:
1.) Would aluminum be a good choice to replace the steel shroud supports? How to size the aluminum to get the same strength as the original steel? (While I can help my friend size the aluminum, I would appreciate any and all input)
2.) Will there be a problem with using the aluminum together with the stainless nuts and bolts that hold the shrouds?
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