Silicon bronze vs Stainless steel

[Ralphw62]

On my restoration project I am replacing the transom....can I use SS screws to fasten to the plank ends where the bronze used to be? they will be hidden by filler and paint. it is a solid mohagonay transom attaching to a ply hull.<br />thanks.<br />Ralph

 

[DJ]

Re: Silicon bronze vs Stainless steel

Yes, you can.<br /><br />SS was not always generally available, at a reasonable cost.

 

[BillP]

Re: Silicon bronze vs Stainless steel

bronze + bronze = ok<br />stainless + stainless = ok<br />bronze + stainless = electrolysis<br /><br />If the boat was built with bronze use bronze, etc.

 

[Ralphw62]

Re: Silicon bronze vs Stainless steel

well the boat was built with bronze....I guess I will just change em out when I can

 

[BillP]

Re: Silicon bronze vs Stainless steel

If it's a trailer boat and not kept in the water 100% of the time I doubt you will have an electrolyis problem anyway. Moisture is the conductor between the two in this case. But good boat building practice dictates not to mix materials.

 

[Ralphw62]

Re: Silicon bronze vs Stainless steel

Its going to be an occasional weekend trailered boat. Garage kept. If it sees 25 days in the water I will be very happy with my schedule. But it will be salt water. I think I may jusy change out the bottom half of the transom and use the bronze there. I have enough of the originals for this.<br /><br />What do ya think?

 

[BillP]

Re: Silicon bronze vs Stainless steel

That sounds like a good plan and I wouldn't worry about it. Using only 25 days a year and keeping in a garage is like being in a museum. Electrolysis under those conditions would be a slow (measured in decades)process if it happed at all. If you keep the boat relatively dry and the different metals don't touch each other you are covered.<br /><br />But the burning question is what kind of wood boat is it? Have any pics?

 

[ED21]

Re: Silicon bronze vs Stainless steel

I have read that SS needs to be exposed to air/water to be corrosion resistant. Epoxy manuals always seem to mention this if fasteners are encapsulated.<br />It doesn't sound like a problem for you, but I would keep the same screws anyway.