Treat or Replace Corroded Traveler?

[pmbuck]

Look at these photos! At first glance, you might think our traveler ends were made of easily shirred granite or even mica. But no, it appears to be horribly corroded aluminum. So, what to do?

These photos are from our 1973 C&C39 and show the port and starboard end "caps" (for lack of knowing a proper term). We would love advice on whether we can treat these in some way that might seal, prevent further corrosion, or even strengthen the surface. Alternatively, must they be replaced? In that case, we're probably facing replacing the entire traveler.

Advice, suggestions, even commiseration is more than welcome! And thank you!

 

[dlochner]

Alternatively, must they be replaced? In that case, we're probably facing replacing the entire traveler.

Replace the whole mess. I'm guessing the traveller is a pain to work with lots of resistance. Replacing the traveler, the track, and the line will make a big difference. Take a look at Harken, pricey but attractive and work well or Garhauer Marine, less expensive, not quite as pretty and work well.

Travelers | Garhauer

www.garhauermarine.com

 

[FastOlson]

I just replaced our '88 Harken traveler, mostly due to nicks in the finish and it was getting a bit rough in running back n forth. Garhauer is reasonable and their gear is solid, altho I did get a good price on a new Harken for our boat thru a ship wright friend. You will love the smooth functioning of the new gear.
BTW, if you can, this might be the perfect time to replace the whole support system and install a flat track. Having it arc the "wrong" way looked cool and symmetrical in a brochure back in the day, but also required letting out some sheet every time you let the traveler down.

 

[Richard19068]

Sure a whole new setup would be the way to go and I agree the bowed track is not the best way to go but if I was on a budget I'd see if I could take those end blocks off and see how bad they were. Mybe knock off the flaky corrosion and see how solid the remainder was. If really bad then I'd try to get some new aluminum blocks of the same size and replace them. Might take a bit of machining but a lot less than a whole new setup.

 

[pmbuck]

...perhaps we will, eventually. Thanks for the recommendation on Garhauer.

Replace the whole mess. I'm guessing the traveller is a pain to work with lots of resistance. Replacing the traveler, the track, and the line will make a big difference. Take a look at Harken, pricey but attractive and work well or Garhauer Marine, less expensive, not quite as pretty and work well.

 

[pmbuck]

-- I think this sounds like a good starting place. Any thoughts what you could coat the remainder with, if it's not that bad?

Sure a whole new setup would be the way to go and I agree the bowed track is not the best way to go but if I was on a budget I'd see if I could take those end blocks off and see how bad they were. Mybe knock off the flaky corrosion and see how solid the remainder was. If really bad then I'd try to get some new aluminum blocks of the same size and replace them. Might take a bit of machining but a lot less than a whole new setup.

 

[pmbuck]

I just replaced our '88 Harken traveler, mostly due to nicks in the finish and it was getting a bit rough in running back n forth. Garhauer is reasonable and their gear is solid, altho I did get a good price on a new Harken for our boat thru a ship wright friend. You will love the smooth functioning of the new gear.
BTW, if you can, this might be the perfect time to replace the whole support system and install a flat track. Having it arc the "wrong" way looked cool and symmetrical in a brochure back in the day, but also required letting out some sheet every time you let the traveler down.

Thanks for the info on the curved track; because we've been doing lots of other retrofit and remodel, we haven't sailed the boat enough since moving her into our marina to have much experience with the frustrations of that track. Sounds like a flat one may be in our future. This boat is a VERY big project, so this expense might be down...the...road a bit

 

[pmbuck]

So I've got some good feedback on how and what to replace, if we were to replace -- any thoughts what we might be able to coat the surviving aluminum with, if it's not that bad?

 

[Joe]

The make composite end stops for most brands of track. Start here: Traveler track end stops