Gudgeon replacement

[spooky alice]

The lower gudgeon mounting screws are leaking water into my boat. The gudgeons are mounted on wood blocks to stand them off the hull about 1 inch. The factory blocks seem to be wood. Will oak be okay to replace these blocks? Any secrets to share on doing this?

[Maren]

Originally Posted by spooky alice

The lower gudgeon mounting screws are leaking water into my boat. The gudgeons are mounted on wood blocks to stand them off the hull about 1 inch. The factory blocks seem to be wood. Will oak be okay to replace these blocks? Any secrets to share on doing this?

That would not be a good idea. Solid woods tend to crack under load. Use marine grade plywood clad in fiberglass and epoxy.

[GordMay]

Corrosion & Rot resistant Stand-Off Blocks can be fabricated from Polyethylene materials (Hi-Density HDPE, Very High Molecular Weight VHPE, or Ultra-High Molecular Weight UHMW ), such as 'StarBoard'.

Products - King Starboard Family

[David M]

I would go with the plastic in white. Its a known strength, as opposed to wood, and you won't have to paint or varnish it.

[Maren]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Corrosion & Rot resistant Stand-Off Blocks can be fabricated from Polyethylene materials (Hi-Density HDPE, Very High Molecular Weight VHPE, or Ultra-High Molecular Weight UHMW ), such as 'StarBoard'.

Products - King Starboard Family

Ever heard of "Functional Fixedness" ? My answer was a stunning example of it -- or at least close enough. I hadn't even thought to answer with something other than wood since that was what he was asking about.

I'll go sit in the corner now

[Morgan Paul]

I would go with the plastic in white. Its a known strength, as opposed to wood, and you won't have to paint or varnish it.

I agree. You might be able to find a small cutting board made with this stuff.