Best material for skin fittings.

[mldpt]

I have to replace several skinfittings on my boat having read the article in PBO last month, I am now totaly confused, I am useing the original Blakes Heads seacocks but I had to cut the other skinfittings to remove them and now I am unsure which material is best they will all be connected back to the main anode via the boats earth, I asumed that my original ones as fitted by westerly in 1988 were Bronze so will use that again if I can get them.
Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>www.sailingforfun.co.uk

 

[tillergirl]

Well the Blake's seacock will be bronze. If you are using metal for the new seacocks, bronze is the only way forward

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Althorne]

If you decide to use any of the plastic type fittings make sure you use the correct type of sealer ie: if ABS or some poly' plastics DO NOT use Sikaflex ( as recommended incorrectly to me by a famous mail order company) as this is unsuitable. Nearly made that mistake recently when fitting a new Nasa speed paddle tube. Always be certain by contacting manufacturer like I did.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Mike,

The skin fitting on my last yacht were well over 20 yrs old and in perfect condition; Admiralty Bronze is the good stuff if you can find it.

Andavagoodweekend....



<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I am about to change all my skin fittings on my ferro hartley. My chandler can supply 316 SS skin fittings from the east and I can get all 316 SS ball valves and all other pipe fittings. I know about crevies corrosion with SS. Any comments from experts and if prop shaft ok in SS why not rest of under water fittings.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[snowleopard]

you mention crevice corrosion with s/s. yes, that is precisely why you should be wary of steel skin fittings. the construction makes it certain that pockets of water will be trapped and stainless corrodes in the anaerobic conditions found where water is present but not circulating. a prop shaft tends not to have that problem though they tend to corrode inside a stern tube. a bronze prop shaft would need to be bigger to have the necessary strength.

and there is a potential difference between stainless and ordinary steel so you still need bonding and anodes on a ferro boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[malcp]

My understanding is that there are different grades of 316 SS, not all being suitable for the task. I would be warey of using these seacocks especially if the grade is not specified.

<hr width=100% size=1>