Stainless steels are corrosion resistant, but tragically salt water is like the Borg “resistance is futile.” Futile might be overstating the case but stainless steel is only corrosion resistant, its resistance comes from the oxidisation of chromium in the stainless steel. Chromium forms a thin, tightly-adhering, impervious oxide layer that stops further corrosion. Chromium oxide layer is invisible to the naked eye, however when it is brushed aside, or otherwise dislodge the tell-tale signs of iron oxidisation soon appear, red rust stains. Have a look at the chain plate those rust stains are from the steel rusting where it rubs on the pins and the deck bolts.
Unfortunately the wire ropes of shrouds rub against themselves pushing away the protective chromium layers leading to rope rusting from the inside out. How is looking at an apple tart like looking at wire rope – Until you test it it, you don’t know if it’s any good, and off course when you do it’s too late. The general thinking is it’s simpler and cheaper to just replace the standing rigging every 6 to 7 years. | |
Too late – the shroud has broken and the mast has come down! |
|
The good news is that we can make a new mast and standing rigging to replace the old, tapering the new mast. |
|
Turning down the old mast plug to suit the new mast. |
|
And we couldn’t go all that way without a quick look at the bay. |