Jeanneau SO40 rudder shaft repair/replace sources

[FirePilot]

Does anyone have any good sources for replacing the stainless steel rudder shaft on a Jeanneau SO40? The shaft is 60mm in diameter and was found to have some Galvanic corrosion and pitting during haul-out.
I’ve checked with JEFA and Jeanneau but they’re months out.
Is this something that can be machined fairly easy by a machine shop?
The other option I was thinking about is looking into having the shaft tested using Ultrasonic NDT and then built up with a product like Inconel 625.

If you know of a shop experienced with any of this I’m all ears.

Boat is currently located in Grenada.

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by FirePilot

Does anyone have any good sources for replacing the stainless steel rudder shaft on a Jeanneau SO40? The shaft is 60mm in diameter and was found to have some Galvanic corrosion and pitting during haul-out.

I’ve checked with JEFA and Jeanneau but they’re months out.

Is this something that can be machined fairly easy by a machine shop?

The other option I was thinking about is looking into having the shaft tested using Ultrasonic NDT and then built up with a product like Inconel 625.



If you know of a shop experienced with any of this I’m all ears.



Boat is currently located in Grenada.

Rose's marine in Glocester MA made me one. Any machine shop servicing the marine market should be quite familiar with it. You'll probably want at least 316SS if not something more exotic, although apparently machining the exotic alloys is more complicated. I went w/ 316. I believe as long as they are starting from shaft stock of that diameter its pretty trivial machining.

[FirePilot]

Thank you! That’s great info. I just sent them an email.

[tkeithlu]

1. Gouge it out with a grinder.
2. Build it up with a welder.
3. Spin it on the lathe.

That does not look to me like a Gloucester to Grenada long range shipping job. It looks more like a very ordinary machine shop job. But then, I don't know the availability thereof in Grenada.

And then, your anodes?

[boatpoker]

That looks like crevice corrosion to me. Is the corroded area under a bushing or bearing ? did the boat sit in water for a long time without moving ?

Attached is an x-ray of a single pinhead sized pit in an ss shaft.
Whatever type of corrosion, it's way worse on the inside than what you see on the outside.

[Searles]

Bet it’s crevice corrosion ,would not try to weld, may infact make it worse , replace only 2205 or better use monel K 500 last a life time.⛵️⚓️

[kenbo]

I am assuming that your rudder shaft is still attached to your rudder correct? That's expensive shipping.

It does appear to be crevice corrosion. Also assuming that your rudder shaft is hollow. If so the repair would be to cut the shaft in the center of the corrosion, grind back any punky material, fit a machined spline of at least the same thickness as the rudder shaft, and weld everything back together keeping the length of the shaft the same as the original. Can be done locally by a welder equipped to weld SS. Do not assume the shaft is 316 it could be 304.

It would be best practice to passivate the shaft after all welding, grinding and machining.

Who mic'd the shaft? It may be 60mm but it could also be 2" pipe (hopefully schedule 80). 60mm = 2.362", the OD of 2" pipe is 2.375".

If it's solid, same method but instead of using a spline the shaft will have to be bored on both sides, pinned and welded. You will probably need a short length of 60mm rod to replace the punky material that has corroded.

[FirePilot]

Thank you for all the great information. I was quick to make the assumption that shaft has to be 316 stainless, but after reading the comments I’m going to have to do more digging to be certain.
The shaft is still installed on the rudder, however it’s all cut out for inspection, and can be removed quite easily.
I’ve added a couple of photos after grinding out the corrosion.
They’re supposed to be using penetrating dye on it tomorrow.
As for the possibility of it being hollow tubing. The shaft has a taper from 60mm to 35mm beginning half way down.
I really appreciate everyone’s insight. Still working on finding a company that’s willing to build a shaft in the event this one can’t be fixed.

[tkeithlu]

When installed, is that area against a bearing or is there a little gap? If there is a little space for irregularities, and the shaft passes the dye test (I can't see in the photo whether there is more crevice corrosion hiding in there), then welding it up and smoothing it through patient work with a file and calipers becomes a possibility. That would seriously lower the technology needed to get you back on the water.