Rudder Corrosion

[Gil Weiss]

Has anyone had the aluminum corrode around the hole in the fixed aluminum part of the rudder where the actual rudder blade mounts? I have had some corrosion where the bolt that holds the blade goes through the fixed part that mount to the transome.

I use a SS washer there and I wonder if all the dissimilar metals are the cause?

Gil

[Bob23]

Iv'e had the same problem. I used nylon washers and Never Seez graphite grease. Great stuff but hard to get off your hands. The bolt is stainless and the lever on my 23 is bronze. We got a real symphony of metals performing here!
Bob23

[Craig Weis]

Everyone disagrees with me, including IdaSailor Rudder.
The dissimilar metals;
Cheap Cast Aluminum in salt is no good, and not that great in fresh water.
The better grades of Stainless Steel, one with more chrome in the mix, are more 'Noble'. Less corrosion.
Brass ought to be replaced with bronze, a nother Noble metal.

So four bronze bushings to replace the plastic from the factory. Get rid of dealing with 'pins' riding in aluminum and plastic.
Stainless steel bolts, washers, nyloc nuts and Neverseze. It a Noble metal.
But what do I know? I have no time on salt water with this set-up. Works fine for two season on fresh water. Zero slop.
skip.

[mrb]

Mine also has corrosion. If it lasts another 30 years I'll never know but hope some one will be happy.

Wonder if some one 30 years ago had stuck an anode on the original aluminum rudder blade how things would look now.  Might be something those with newer boats might want to think about.

melvin