Mast corrison

[walt123]

I am replacing main halyard winch...Aluminum winch pad was badly corroded and I will weld on a new one. Former winch had a plastic spacer between bronze winch base and mast. Any suggestions of a better way to isolate new winch base from mast to prevent or slow down corrosion?

[nicholasv2]

use that spacer...and coat the screws(stainless)with silicon.. that GE sticky type .thats all you need a thin coat...I helped take a mast apart that a sailmaker friend had put the fitting on over ten yers ago..he just diped the screws in silicon sealer ..they all backed out by hand screwdrivers with no notcieable crrosion.....

[noctaluca]

I agree with the previous authers. Also, orient the winch on the pad such that the water will drain out of the inside. This may not make sence until you look at the inside of the winch pressed up against the winch pad. This is essential. Perhaps ask a rigger or winch salesperson to explain further.
Also, my preference over regular silicone is boat life''s "life seal" This product also contains poly sulfide rubber, and I think is far superior to silicon.