G-10 pre-impregnated fiber glass...where to buy???

[Jim]

Ahoy mates! Am tryng to fabricate a backing plate for my pedestal steering post and have gotten some advice that using "G-10 pre-impregnated fiber glas" would perhaps be a good way to go. This would replace a 4" X 4" metal backing plate, which is secured to the underside of my cockpit decking and pedestal with four 3 to 4 inch bolts, all of which are currently in a bad state of rusting away.  Anybody know where to get a slab of this material? I understand it is fairly easy to cutand drill through, so it may well do the trick. Any inputs on the problem and the solution more than welcome...Fair Winds, Jim

 

[Ed A.]

thoughts

Im not sure where to get what you want but, I would think twice about using fiberglass as a backing plate for somthing with so much leverage. I think a metal plate, stainless or aluminum would be a fix that will probably last for many years. fiberglass is great for loads that put the fibers in tension. but not so hot for compression. I was under the imperssion that pre-preg material had to be cooked in an oven to cure. but maybe im mixing up technologies.

 

[Steve Dion]

I'd vote for the stainless or alum plate.

Jim:I would go with stainless or aluminum for a backing plate. Why is your old one rusted? Have you had water leaking?

 

[Jim]

Why rusting?

Good question... I don't know why the rest. The boat is a 1980 O'Day 30. I've had her for the last few years and not noticed any leaking coming through that area, but I really haven't checked after hosing her down or rain. It could very well be leaking water at the pedestal base. I do wonder what the bolts and backing plate were originally made of in the first place...not aluminum, because the oxidation is clearly rust colored as with steel. Perhaps stainless that broke down over time? I suppose I could fabricate a backing plate from aluminum or even stainless, but the fiberglass suggestion appealed because it would perhaps be a little easier to work with and would reduce the chances of mixing metals between the pedestal, the bolts and the backing plate...

 

[Gord May]

Use Alum. Backer

As previously noted, FRG won’t make the best backing plate, and will NOT be nearly as easy to work with as a simple metal plate. Make the plate as large as reasonably practical. Seal under the pedestal base, and the bolt holes. The pedestal is almost certainly Aluminum, so an aluminum backing plate will be very nearly galvanically compatible (different alloys of Al - so not exact). Stainless Steel does not like to be immersed in water, nor even wet. The cockpit sole is often wet, or even slightly flooded , hence the S/S rust. The white stuff (if any) on the Alum. Pedestal is of more concern. This is Galvanic errosion of the Aluminum.Some “no-corrode” or other anti-oxidant, applied to the S/S fastenings and Alum. base, will provide some galvanic isolation between the pedestal and bolts, and help prevent siezing.This might also be a good time to bond the pedestal to your lightning protection system.Regards,Gord