What are the problems associated with using galvanized rigging on a aluminum mast. Helping a friend with a boat he just got the rigging is all galvanized. Have used galvanized on wood mast with no issues but not sure about compatibility with aluminum.
Galvanized wire
- Thread starter Slow lane
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Just my opinion but galvanized wire has no place on a sailboats standing rigging. About the only place I can think of that galvanized "anything" would be appropriate on a boat is maybe on ground tackle.
A lot of traditional sailing boats and schooners will have galvanized rigging. SS 1 X 19 looks really tacky on some traditional boats and can't be spliced into the hoops used aloft or around deadeyes. IMO it's really nautical to see the hoops all leathered aloft and the traditional worm, parcel and serving on standing galvanized rigging.
As for any problem on alloy spars, some of the most famous ocean navigators, Moitessier for one, always used galvanized rigging because it could be easily repaired or changed at sea, so I'm guessing there's no problem with it at all.
This website provides general description and links to detailed corrosion specs:
http://www.galvanizeit.org/hot-dip-galvanizing/how-long-does-hdg-last/in-contact-with-other-metals
My summary of the analysis is that under conditions of light or moderate humidity, contact between galvanized steel and aluminum (or stainless steel) is not a big issue. Presence of salt water spray in the air is a huge issue! In this case, the solution is electrical isolation of the galvanized part (zinc) from the aluminum. Rubber or plastic are excellent isolators. I would use them where there is a possibility of rubbing contact between the galv and aluminum. There are liquid coatings designed to isolate screws, or other fasteners from the metals with which they are in contact. I would read the specs on such a product to ensure their applicability in a salt water environment for the galv/aluminum interface. I believe there is a solution for your question, and research will give you confidence in it!
By the way, according to the table on this page of the website:
http://www.galvanizeit.org/educatio...-dr-galv/galvanized-steel-with-aluminum-parts
A galv/aluminum interface is less of a problem than stainless/aluminum because galv (zinc) and aluminum are quite similar electrically.
Joe posted while I was writing this post. We are both referring to the same website!
http://www.galvanizeit.org/hot-dip-galvanizing/how-long-does-hdg-last/in-contact-with-other-metals
My summary of the analysis is that under conditions of light or moderate humidity, contact between galvanized steel and aluminum (or stainless steel) is not a big issue. Presence of salt water spray in the air is a huge issue! In this case, the solution is electrical isolation of the galvanized part (zinc) from the aluminum. Rubber or plastic are excellent isolators. I would use them where there is a possibility of rubbing contact between the galv and aluminum. There are liquid coatings designed to isolate screws, or other fasteners from the metals with which they are in contact. I would read the specs on such a product to ensure their applicability in a salt water environment for the galv/aluminum interface. I believe there is a solution for your question, and research will give you confidence in it!
By the way, according to the table on this page of the website:
http://www.galvanizeit.org/educatio...-dr-galv/galvanized-steel-with-aluminum-parts
A galv/aluminum interface is less of a problem than stainless/aluminum because galv (zinc) and aluminum are quite similar electrically.
Joe posted while I was writing this post. We are both referring to the same website!
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Brion Toss in the "Riggers Apprentice" mentions the advantages of galvanized wire rigging. Here is a post that seems to indicate it may be a problem getting the proper wire, http://www.briontoss.com/spartalk/showthread.php?p=3003
Bob
Bob
Thanks for all the replies think I have some reading to do..we are not going to worry about the galvanized wire that is on the mast now. But will do some research for the future.
Had the opportunity to talk to owner of a 46ft 30 year old cement boat today he won't use stainless wire.his reason is galvanized wire is not prone to sudden failure unless you are blind and dum. (His words)..
Had the opportunity to talk to owner of a 46ft 30 year old cement boat today he won't use stainless wire.his reason is galvanized wire is not prone to sudden failure unless you are blind and dum. (His words)..