Shroud Fittings Problem

[Jack19539]

I want to rebed the shroud fittings on my ODAY 39. They are similar to U bolts that go through the deck and through an aluminum block where they are held in place with partially recessed nuts. A rod goes through the block and goes down to the grid in the hull.

The aluminum blocks show white corrosion but the 1/2" shroud fitting is seized in the block.

Has anyone disassembled the fitting and can give me advice on freeing the bolts?

Jack

 

[jibes138]

shroud fittings

The manual recommends you remove and rebed them every year. I did my lowers last year, and will do the uppers this year. Steel and aluminum are not a good mix and you need to have a galvanic isolation between them. This is why the aluminum is corroding. The aluminum blocks should be easy to make but the u-bolts are no longer available. So make sure you don't mess up the u-bolts.
I have been thinking about making a replacement for the u-bolts that will just be a block above deck with two bolts going through the same holes that are already there. A milling machine and some stainless plate stock and they should be easy to make. Must be a market out there for spares.