Centerboard Material

[blgklr]

If you had to replace centerboard on 2800# boat that has 1100# ballast what would you choose. I'm thinking -

Mild steel- cheap,easy to work with,some weight to it but will rust easily.

Stainless-more money, harder to work with, heavier may still be corrosian issues.

Aluminum- probably have to use thicker plate so more money, lighter, right alloy will have no corrosion issues in salt water easy to work with.


Thanx 4 all replys

[Cheechako]

Technically I think a centerboard would be wood. A swing keel or retractable keel would be heavy. :>) Not aluminum.. too many corrosion issues and not heavy enough, Stainless would be too expensive. If it's a shape that could be done out of steel that would be great, even better if you could have it galvanized..? Many traditional boats had a steel keel, Thunderbirds etc. Could you take your old one as a pattern and have one cast from cast iron or cast steel? Cast iron might be better than steel. Bronze would be the ultimate, but with today's copper value......