Rudder post corrosion

SausalitoDave wrote: The white plastic rings are - I am almost certain - thrust washers.  They are not there as any from of isolation.   Dave Hanse 505

If it is one between rudder blade & bottom bearing it cannot be a thrust washer, It would not drop down if it was
I think it will be found to be a snap on end cap to the bottom of the bottom bearing that has dropped off .

I fully agree with Rubato.

High Time wrote: I also agree with the previous two posts. As far as I can tell the rudder post on High Time (415 #38 delivered August 2012) is electrically isolated from everything else on the boat. The saildrive is also electrically isolated from everything else on the boat (standard Volvo practice)." There is no hull anode fitted.If nothing changes (except the saildrive and prop anodes) there should be no galvanic or electrolytic corrosion of the rudder post or saildrive.

You must take into account that as the boat gets older a possible conductive layer of dirt deposits (wet with seawater) in the bilge and thinks get complicated.
I don't believe in the theory of electrically isolated shaft, engine, rudder-shaft nor through hulls.
A boat should have all of them earthed together and a sound anode protection scheme.
Of course Jeffa's solution will survive the warranty period but my 39 old classic boat is in better condition than my 8 year old Hanse.
They don't build them like they did...

Panos

Edited by panos - 08 December 2015 at 23:39

BUT!

Hi Phil, could you please clarify which service bulletin you're referring to?  and just to clarify my situation with Rubato - no electrical connection to the rudder (it's isolated) and no problems at all.