Material rudder shaft

[Pieter]

On my FP Lavezzi i need to change the alu rudder shafts. What other material then alu tube i could use? After 10 years the alu tubes became brittle. I was thinking pvc pipes but i also see downsides to that. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.
Bst rgds
Pieter

[Chotu]

I used USA sourced, Sandvik 316 L stainless steel for mine.

[Pieter]

Thank you for yr comments. I am not so sure abt using SS pipe due to weight issue as it will be only connected to the bottom of the hull. In a rough sea state dont you think the pipe gets to heavy and causes friction on the attachement to the hull?



QUOTE=Chotu;3009650]I used USA sourced, Sandvik 316 L stainless steel for mine.[/QUOTE]

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Pieter

Thank you for yr comments. I am not so sure abt using SS pipe due to weight issue as it will be only connected to the bottom of the hull. In a rough sea state dont you think the pipe gets to heavy and causes friction on the attachement to the hull?



QUOTE=Chotu;3009650]I used USA sourced, Sandvik 316 L stainless steel for mine.

[/QUOTE]

Well, it probably depends on how the boat was designed to begin with. My Boat uses narrow shafts. They are hollowed out steel. Is the weight of the rotor shaft is no more than aluminum. And much much more resistant to corrosion.

However, since yours were aluminum, they are probably a much bigger diameter than my stainless ones. Of course you would not want to replace the large diameter with a large stainless diameter. That makes sense.

In that case, you are probably best off using aluminum again or carbon fiber.

[Pieter]

Yes...that makes sence. I will end up using alu again because of the weight.
Thanks for yr comments.
Best rgds