Bronze stem head fitting

[oz-1]

Hello everyone, Last February i bought myself a 1973 Drascombe longboat cruiser. It needed a new mizzen mast and the bronze stem head fitting had been damaged in the past, ( previous owner said he had collided with something hard). I just wanted some advice on how to straighten the small flat tang that goes down the stem. Also this tang has a very faint hairline crack that goes across half it's width, ( the crack is only visible on the outer face, not on the inside ). Is it possible to heat the fitting with a small blow torch and then bend it back to it's original position, and is it possible to get the hairline crack welded or braised. Any advice will be gratefully received. I bought the boat to do up, it's in our drive, so with what is going on at present, it will be a nice project. I hope i can add some photos ( i am useless with computers and modern tech. ). I hope every one is keeping safe and well. Best regards, Oz.

 

[oz-1]

Iv'e tried posting photos but unfortnately without success. I will keep trying.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Honnor Marine are still around and still fit Drascombes with bronze stemhead fittings, so it might be worth asking them. The company has changed hands at least twice since yours was built, though.

 

[vyv_cox]

If it really is bronze, a copper - tin alloy, it will be very ductile and should hammer straight with no problems. It can be brazed but make sure the filler rod used is compatible or you could create a galvanic corrosion cell. If it is not structural I would leave it alone.

 

[oz-1]

Iv'e tried posting photos but unfortnately without success. I will keep trying.

 

[vyv_cox]

It appears to be a bronze casting. Should be ductile but don't be too vigorous with straightening efforts. I would leave the crack alone.

 

[PCUK]

It can be TIG welded using the appropriate filler wire, however, if it is heavy enough it may be ok to weld it without any filler wire (autogenous welding). Speak to your local fabrication shop.

 

[oz-1]

Many thanks for all the helpful replies, i will try to gently straighten it up. My apologies for making a dog's dinner out of the posting and photos.