Gulfstar 37 skeg backing plate corrosion

[jlogan]

Has anyone had to replace the skeg backing plate on their Gulfstar 37? I was adjusting the steering cables on mine the other day and I noticed that large chunks of the plate had literally corroded away...seems like the previous owner tightened the bolts down, there is no leakage or anything, just the plate seems to be almost all corroded away.

It appears to be made out of a fairly thick piece of mild steel, not the best thing for this area.

Has anyone else had this problem and if so, what did you do about it? Any ideas?

If you don't know what I mean by the skeg backing plate, remove the "floor" in your aft lazarette and you will see the steering cables and rudder post. Look right in front of the rudder post and there is a plate with several large nuts on top of it...or they should be if the plate is still there.

I'll get some pictures next time. Any ideas or experience appreciated.

[slacker]

When we purchased Slacker that was one of the first things we addresed. After a good wire brushing (ss) paint on some OSPHO which is a phosphoric acid-based compound that converts rust. Let it dry then paint. We did the prop strut backing plate at the same time.

Mike

GS 37
Mazatlan MX