Bobstay chain, stainless steel vs. galvanised

MikeBz

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I want to replace my bobstay chain - it's currently a doubled-up length of thin stainless chain which looks a bit tacky. Ideally I'd like to use 6mm galvanised short-link chain, but the metalwork at the hull end is stainless so I guess this isn't a good idea. Stainless chain just looks too 'bling', unless it's possible to source it in a 'rough' matt finish form - any suppliers out there who can do so?

Mike
 

srp

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Stainless is supposed to be shiny for the best corrosion resistance - have a look at the Classic Marine website for some interesting info on this. You could use stainless rigging wire, and/or you could paint it with a matt grey paint to take the shine off it. Presumably this is on an oldish boat? On my gaffer I had a bronze bobstay stem fitting and galvanised chain originally, which I later changed for stainless rigging wire.
 

MikeBz

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It's on an old style boat (wooden gaffer). I had thought about wire but chain looks nicer. I'm not bothered if I have to change the bobstay every 5-10 years... Only reason for not going galvanised is that it'll presumably react badly with the stainless steel at boat end. Maybe get some shiny stainless chain and put it in the tumble drier with some grit when SWMBO is out /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Mike
 

Bajansailor

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Would it be possible to use a rope lashing (instead of a shackle) to secure the lower end of the galvanised bobstay chain to the S/S shackle in the S/S fitting bolted to the hull?
This would effectively (I hope) insulate the chain from the S/S fitting (?).
I am thinking that if the principle works for side shrouds, using rope lashings to tension the shrouds instead of turnbuckles, it should work OK for a bob stay as well.
 

MikeBz

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I have read the Classic Marine article, which is what made me realise that galvanised wasn't a good idea in the first place. I wondered about using a lashing, though it's a potential point of failure which isn't that easy to monitor.

The boat has plenty of custom-made stainless bits with a semi-matt finish none of which have shown any serious signs of rusting in the last 20+ years.

I know, I need one of those stone polisher things, half an hour in there with a coarse grit would probably do it (better than the tumble drier anyway...).

Mike
 
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