Drain & Shrouds
Norm, About the anchor locker: Just keep the small drain hole clean & clear. I've had minimal problems with water in the locker, except when silt from the rode & chain collect in the small drain hole & clog it. Just remember to hose the locker down when you wash the boat & you should be fine. I think drilling out a new hole would be overkill, but it's your call. Shroud hardware: This came as a BIG surprise to me, but when I started to investigate hardware upgrades I found out that stainless steel relies on exposure to oxygen to maintain it's "stainless" properties. If stainless steel is isolated from oxygen (the air) it WILL rust & corrode like regular steel. This is important information to know, because the shrouds are often sealed into the deck & can have a difficult time receiving the oxygen they need to maintain their strength. The same holds true for stainless rudder stock. Having the stock sealed in a fiberglass rudder will reduce the anti-corrosive qualities we rely on stainless to maintain. Has anyone noticed rust weeping from an old rudder with stainless hardware inside? Now you know why. I had a lower shroud pop in choppy seas 2 years ago & I was amazed at how corroded it was. I'm guessing the same thing is happening to your shrouds, too. There's no real solution to this problem, other than to check on your rigging every year & be aware that although rigging may look new topside, they may still need to be replaced. I hope this helps. Allen Schweitzer s/v Drambuie C-30 Hull# 632
