RE:[Paddlewise] Leaky cockpit - spray deck - through hull bolts

From: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 23:25:54 -0700
PeterO asked:
>>>>>Can anyone comment on the practice of using through hull bolts to fit
foot
pegs. Are they likely to cause leaks. I've noticed rust stains recently
around a coiple of six such bolts that have been installed for 3 years
now.<<<<<

They could leak is they have no gasket and the bolts weren't threaded
through the fiberglass (or the hole through the fiberglass has worn to a
bigger size maybe). Easy to check though just put some water inside the
kayak and let it sit against the foot pedals. Notice if any is dripping out.

If they are "stainless steel" you may be noticing crevice corrosion between
the SS bolt and a SS nut (if there is one). Also possible is mild rust
colored corrosion on the surface of the SS (because the alloy used for
fittings is not as stainless as some others in order to allow threads to be
machined into it). If that is the case don't worry as it is not like rust in
carbon steel that expands to bigger than the material corroded and therefore
flakes away causing a progressive problem that eventually destroy the bolt.
The rust color is more like a staining than corrosion. If the bolts (or any
nuts) are not stainless steel then the problem will probably progress and
get far uglier over time.

Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com
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Received on Mon Apr 09 2007 - 23:22:43 PDT

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