Shaft Degradation

[Redbeard33]

So I pulled my boat a few months back and the guy at the yard says I need my shaft replaced. The zinc had eroded away. It had been in for about 18 months in the Chesapeake Bay. It is a Sabre 38, 1984. The shaft is 1", about 18" protruding. It has a 'layer' flaking off, approx. 1/16". That is 15/16" solid shaft remaining. Once the loose part was scraped away, the remaining shaft is very solid to the touch. Does anyone have any experience with this? Does it need replacing right away. Mostly used for day sailing and weekends around the Bay.
Thanks for any help.
Kimball
Will try to post a picture later.

[CDunc]

what is the shaft made of, if its bronze it probably shows signs of dezincification- a reddish pigment to the metal. best bet is to replace it now or loose it and the prop when you need it.

[Khagan1227]

I concur with CDunc.

You've used quite of bit of the shaft life and the torque of the prop will eventually snap off.

Better to do it when YOU want to replace it.

[Richard Harper]

I had the same problem with a Sabre 36. I believe the shaft was bronze. I could not be sure that another layer was not ready to separate so the yard replaced it with SS.

[Maine Sail]

Any corrosion on a shaft is not a good thing, especially if stainless. Crevice corrosion can often not be seen beyond what is visible but it can still be there. Having a shaft fail can get very expensive. I have seen struts bent or taken out $$$$$$$$, rudder damage $$$ and hull damage $$$$ and also severe water damage $$$$$$$$.

Reputable shafting shops will replace them when they look like this and even well before they look like this.