Issue with bobstay

[dmksails]

The bolt on the bracket holding by bobstay is showing signs of corrosion. Any ideas why and what I can do to clean this without taking everything apart?

[Cheechako]

I would try any decent metal polish. Soft Scrub for bathroom gel coat works well also actually. I would avoid acid unless you have to, it cleans but leaves the surface even more prone to rust.
It's likely due to the bolt not the fitting. The fitting appears to have been nicely smooth polished.
It would be nice to remove that one bolt and polish it and seal under the head with caulk. Or even replace it with a quality 316 ss bolt..
But that type of rust is not uncommon at all, especially once you are cruising and seldom fresh water rinsing.

[barnakiel]

I would:


- undo the stay,
- pull the bolt,
- passivize the fitting (in place),
- give it a new matching bolt of best quality, (I guess, 316)


It is a common problem where one nasty bolt, with a minor dent of maybe of subprime SS quality WILL return to corrode as soon as it gets any moisture or spray.


b.

[sanibel sailor]

Technically speaking, this looks like a bowsprit shroud (according to Toss incorrectly called a whisker stay unless there are spreaders on it like on big ships) which keeps the sprit from moving side to side, rather than a bobstay which attaches low on the stem and hold it down. Significance- much greater force on a bobstay, typically the heaviest load of the entire rig.

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by sanibel sailor

Technically speaking, this looks like a bowsprit shroud (according to Toss incorrectly called a whisker stay unless there are spreaders on it like on big ships) which keeps the sprit from moving side to side, rather than a bobstay which attaches low on the stem and hold it down. Significance- much greater force on a bobstay, typically the heaviest load of the entire rig.

Winner winner chicken dinner
You are correct. Few have the knowledge to accurately respond.

[roverhi]

The corrosion you want to be concerned about you cannot see because it will be under the bolt head and/or buried in the material the fastener passes through. That rust is most likely from ferrous metal that the fastener picked up from machining. Passivating the metal with Citric or other suitable acid will remove the embedded steel. Oxalic acid will remove the stains in the gel coat. R & R'ing the fastener with a less oxidation prone metal like 316 SS wouldn't hurt.

[JPA Cate]

I agree with what roverhi posted. If you're looking for a quick fix, you can try toothpaste and an old toothbrush on it, and maybe it will clean it up for a while. However, your real concern here should be about what is going on under the bolt head. The worst case would be some oxygen deprivation corrosion, and that could mean under the head is powder, and not much bolt any more. That is why you have to loosen everything and get the bolt out to have a look-see.

Ann