The aluminum mast has eroded away around the bolts holding the jib & main halyard's internal exit mast blocks. Looking for suggestions for repairing. At present, I just plan to install tangs over the block flanges that are long enough to extend past the block flanges. Drill, tape and fasten the tangs over the flanges. I prefer to not take the mast down.
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Photo of my corrosion problem
Photo of the corrosion problem I have at the mast exit point for the Halyards where the exit block attaches to the mast.
Photo of the corrosion problem I have at the mast exit point for the Halyards where the exit block attaches to the mast.
Attachments
Corrosion
Your problem results from dissimilar metals in contact. You need to put an electrically insulating barrier between the stainless and the aluminum. A thin coat of silicone sealant will do the trick and Tefgel or an equivalent on the threads of any fasteners is also needed. If you reinforce with stainless make sure it is insulated from the aluminum. If you use an aluminum plate insulate the stainless exit boxes from it. Large aluminum pop rivets are probably better fasteners than stainless screws but check on the material of the mandrel (the nail that breaks off inside) to make sure that it won't corrode the rivet from the inside.
Your problem results from dissimilar metals in contact. You need to put an electrically insulating barrier between the stainless and the aluminum. A thin coat of silicone sealant will do the trick and Tefgel or an equivalent on the threads of any fasteners is also needed. If you reinforce with stainless make sure it is insulated from the aluminum. If you use an aluminum plate insulate the stainless exit boxes from it. Large aluminum pop rivets are probably better fasteners than stainless screws but check on the material of the mandrel (the nail that breaks off inside) to make sure that it won't corrode the rivet from the inside.
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