Electrolysis on keel

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Apr 4, 2011
3
Oday 28 Milford
My wife is the sailor. I am the researcher for her. We have a 1984 O'Day 28. The keel seems to be the victim of electrolysis. Does anyone know the ground wire configuration so that I check to see if the wire is connected? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks
 
Jun 9, 2008
1,801
- -- -Bayfield
I didn't know O'Days had steel/cast iron keels. I thought they were lead. What are the symptoms? Anyway, to "bond" any metal object in your boat from galvanic corrosion, you run wires from all metal parts (seacocks, keel bolts, etc.) to the negative side of your engine block. Look up "bonding".
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
My wife is the sailor. I am the researcher for her. We have a 1984 O'Day 28. The keel seems to be the victim of electrolysis. Does anyone know the ground wire configuration so that I check to see if the wire is connected? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks
According to what I've read, O'Day built a keel version and a keel/center version of the O'Day 28. The keel is lead, held on with stainless steel bolts. Also, there is a grounding system on your boat for lighting protection. Generally, one of the ground wires would be attached to a bolt on the keel which can be found under the sole plate in the cabin.

Outboards engines have anodes at the very bottom of the skeg that are designed to be the victim of electrolysis. As they disintegrate, they can be replaced. I'm not getting why you think your keel is a victim of this. Your aluminum mast can get electrolysis from stainless steel machine screws for a hinged tabernacle. Mine did, a couple of years ago. The two metals set up a corrosion that was eating my mast out where the s.s. screws were.

The wires going to your keel are purely for lightning protection and they don't even guarantee that. Perhaps a picture of this area of your keel will enlighten someone who can provide you with an answer.
 
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