H26 center board deterioration

[Molly1034]

Have any of you H 26 owners had experience with metal deterioration of of the s.s. mechanism that raises and lowers the centerboard? I have sailed my H 26, "Molly," in the Bay of Banderas, Mexico, for 10 years +. She has been in the water (salt water, of course) for all that time. I had the s.s. mechanism examined several years ago, during a bi-annual haulout. No problem. I keep a wire inside the boat that connects the mast base (that is in direct contact with the raising/lowering system) with the wing nut that raised/lowers the valve that drains the ballast tank, and continue the wire overboard to a small zinc that I keep in the water at all times except when sailing. This zinc does deteriorate. I check its conductivity with the valve and centerboard regularly. I replace the zinc about twice a year. I'll make a visual centerboard check during my next haulout. But still, it gives one a couse for concern by not having a visual check in many years. The ballast tank valve, which I can easily check during haulout, is always fine. By the way, no blisters.

David K "Molly"

 

[MABell]

Do you keep your boat at a marine and plugged into shore power?

 

[Molly1034]

Shore power

Do you keep your boat at a marine and plugged into shore power?

MaBell. I have never used shore power. In years past, a couple of my doc mates have, but their connections seemed well done. The marina that I was at for many years was old but the power boxes were well back for the piers and on land. My new marina is just that, new. I have to assume that the electrical boxes are properly isolated from the water. I've only been there for a few months. Stray current causes "electrolisis" as I understand it. Dissimilar metals is another issue and called, "galvanic action." It is the latter that is a concern to me because I understand it. Stray current, electrolisis, is a mystery to me. David

 

[soling42]

At 7y/o I pulled the main 3/4" bolt that attaches my CB bracket to the boat and found it corroded by about 25-30% and our boat was rarely in the water the first 3yrs(on a lift or trailered). Either really cheap Chinese stainless or lightning was my guess. No other obvious signs of a strike and for the past 4yrs the boat has spent 7mths a year in the water. The CB support bracket has no signs of corrosion or galvanic issues. I've replaced the bolt.

I'm sure your boat is fine but it's almost time to replace the CB line so check that bolt too. Pic of the bolt and CB bracket too.

Mike