Centerboard Pendent Attachment

mstern · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2008

I dove under my Oday 23 this afternoon to see if I could find out why my centerboard pendent wasn't moving. It seems that it has become unattached from the centerboard. The shackle, sans clevis pin, is still attached to the pendent, but the "loop" of stainless that was embedded in the trailing edge of the centerboard (where the pendent attached) is completely gone. Any ideas on how to fix it? I could try and recreate the loop by glassing in a strap or something similar, but I wonder if it might be better to screw in or bolt a stainless strap to the board itself. Anyone ever have to make this fix before? Any ideas?

camaraderie · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2008

I'd suggest galvanized rather than stainless for full time underwater use.
Hard to give you specific advice without seeing the boat.

Sabreman · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2008

Cam - Why galvanized instead of stainless? I would instinctively go to SS since galvanized is a steel core with a coating that can chip or wear off. I've been under the impression that SS is always preferable to galvanized.

My centerboard pendant is attached to the centerboard by stainless fittings. I've not noticed any degradation but am wondering what I'm missing.

camaraderie · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2008

My aversion to stainless on anchor swivels and centerboard pendants is due to the propensity for crevice corrosion in an anaerobic environment like one would find on the bottom or inside a centerboard trunk. By all means inspect the galvanized and replace as needed but crevice corrosion can go really quickly. Check this link and pix:
Crevice Corrosion
Here's another on Pascoe's site:
Corrosion - Boats and Yachts Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Sabreman · #5 (**permalink**) 08-24-2008

Cool. Something to think about. Thanks, Cam.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008

I'd second cam's suggestion. That's why most anchors are galvanized, not stainless steel.

Sabreman · #7 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008

Since the cost differential between galvanized and SS is so great, I suspect that's another reason that most anchors are galvanized. SS sure is pretty, though.

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008

Actually, the usage life of an anchor, anchor shackle, and anchor chain for a long-term cruiser or liveaboard, who will be on the hook for extended periods of time, the stainless is going to cost way more in the long run, since it will probably rust out faster than properly hot-dipped galvanized steel will. Also, you can generally regalvanize chain and anchors a few times before you need to replace them....the same can't be said of Stainless steel anchors or chain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabreman

Since the cost differential between galvanized and SS is so great, I suspect that's another reason that most anchors are galvanized. SS sure is pretty, though.

mstern · #9 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008

The issue for me would be finding a suitably-sized piece of galvanized for this purpose. There are all sorts of stainless pieces of metal from shackles to gudgeons that I might be able to adapt for the purpose, but where to find galvanized? I'm thinking I need a piece maybe 1 inch by 4 inches, maybe an 1/8" thick, with three holes: two to screw into the board, and one for the pendent attachment. Ideally, the piece would be bent, allowing three inches of the piece to lie flat against the board, and the final inch to bend to the middle of the trailing edge before it goes straight back. The centerboard of an Oday 23 is not particularly heavy, so this piece doesn't have to be terribly robust.

camaraderie · #10 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008

mstern...don't agonize over it. If it can only be done in stainless...then buy a couple of spares and inspect more often.