Bronze bush in alloy gooseneck?

[jwilson]

Just bought a PBO (came with YM in pack of two), and saw an article describing bushing out a worn alloy gooseneck pivot with bronze. Is that really a good idea? I always thought you kept aluminiums and coppery based stuff well apart....

 

[penfold]

I saw that as well; I'm dubious of the durability but without remaking the whole thing it seems likely to last as long as it did the first time round.

 

[Keith 66]

That is going to fizz big time, the alloy fitting will last about 5 minutes.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have not seen the article, but when I rebushed my old Kemp gooseneck I used plastic water pipe. That was around four years ago, still working very well with no corrosion.

 

[penfold]

On reflection I might be tempted to make bearings out of a stiff polymer like phenolic or PEEK; it depends on the size of the rig, if it's small nylon would probably do.

 

[Norman_E]

That is going to fizz big time, the alloy fitting will last about 5 minutes.

Nonsense, you only get electrolytic action if the parts are immersed in an electrolyte, the gooseneck gets splashed occasionally and is washed with fresh water whenever I wash the boat. Its my boat and my article.

 

[DaveS]

That is going to fizz big time, the alloy fitting will last about 5 minutes.

Well, partly encouraged by that article, but mainly because I was fed up with the creaking of stainless pins in badly worn alloy holes, I fitted phosphor bronze bushes to my goose neck last winter. I did glue them in place with Locktite which might partially insulate them from the ally, but Norman_E's right: when the goose neck is wet it's generally with rain water. No fizzing or loss of metal experienced to date, but obviously I will have a better look when I take the boom off at the end of the season. Mechanically, stainless turning in bronze makes a lovely bearing.

 

[ga1135]

I cut a little section of copper hose tube to make the brush for my alu gooseneck fitting and it has been there for at least 5 yrs without any problems.

 

[Heckler]

Nonsense, you only get electrolytic action if the parts are immersed in an electrolyte, the gooseneck gets splashed occasionally and is washed with fresh water whenever I wash the boat. Its my boat and my article.

My Gioit main sheet traveller has an aluminium swivel on a SS pin that has a bronze/brass bush in the aluminium. Been there from new. 13 years old now, no wear or fizzing, its on the top of the coach roof.
Stu

 

[Norman_E]

I have a similar traveller but without the bronze bush, but interestingly 316 stainless is actually higher up the galvanic scale than most bronzes, and most yachts have lots of 316 stainless in electrical contact with aluminium parts. I know mine does.