marv sherrill
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achilles inflatable boat problem
I was wondering if any one else with an achilles with aluminum floor boards has had this same problem - I have had achilles boats for over 30 years
but always with wooden floor boards - i up graded 4 years ago to a larger boat and it came with aluminum boards - After a couple of years the rear
floorboard started getting holes in it near the transom - it was being eaten away! it got so bad I thought the board would break under the weight of
the engine - When i took it back to the states and called Achilles - I got a huge runaround and was basically told tough luck because it was out of
warrenty, but would gladly sell me a new board for $450! Now my friend's boat is also starting to show this corrosion - Elko marine suggested putting
a zinc on the board -
SOOOO - just wanted to know what is happining as I wash the boat and drain it after every use -
Any suggestions other than don't use it in salt water ( as achilles suggested)?
As far as i am concerned they sold me a defective product
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captkw
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boats
HOLA< thats a funny one..put a zinc on a board !! so,are you talking about the "transom" or the floor (runners) ?? and can you post a pic ? I'll
Try and see if I can help !!K&T
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Bob and Susan
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yup...saltwater...
solution...
bolt a couple of zink plates llike an outboard
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captkw
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board
Hola, I guess I asume that a"board is wood? no? K&T
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marv sherrill
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- correct capt - floor board in this case is aluminum - they are great - do not get hot in the sun, sturdy, etc ---except for the nasty decomposition
problem - I'll try to post a picture
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chuckie
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There is NO solution to that problem, except to keep replacing them. Its electrolysis. You can put all the anodes on it you want wont help after it
starts....Aluminum+salt water=money...
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Marc
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How about fresh water wash down??
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Barry A.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by chuckie
There is NO solution to that problem, except to keep replacing them. Its electrolysis. You can put all the anodes on it you want wont help after it
starts....Aluminum+salt water=money... |
Bought my ALUMINUM Gregor boat about 32 years ago, and have run it mainly in the ocean (salt water). I was just out washing my Gregor today to get
the winter dust off it, and there is NO (NADA) corrosion anywhere on it that I can see. This is my third Aluminum boat, and I have not had any
corrosion on any of them. But I do religiously flush the boat with fresh water as soon as able after each trip.
Barry
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chuckie
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I have gone through three GREGORS, slow learner, the last one I bought used, here in Mulege this year. It was so thin that you could almost poke your
finger through it. First time I had it on the water it threw a 40 inch crack right down the keel..junked it. The new one I brought down here years ago
lasted 8 years...But then I use em almost every day. For what its worth I got NO satisfaction from Gregor...
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captkw
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beercans
HOLA,there is a product called "GLOVEIT" that you can paint around the inside of the "tinny" and is very good at fixing leaks...alum can be very
good!! in alaska they are used and take a beating!! are weldled and alot thicker than a KLAMATH,GREGOR,VALCO !! zincs are not understanded by folks
and we use 3 types of zinc 1..zinc..2..magnezium...3 alum. and are used for different apps. !! you can also make a vessel "HOT" by using to much
"zinc (anode) and would take a volume of time to expain ...I have the crazy job of daily trying to explain to a boat owner that what they think is
right is not !! " but a boat is like a women...we all love them,,but dont fully understand them" a MOOSE boat is alumanum and that is one hell of a
boat..a rather rich client of mine fell in love with my cats and went up to the MOOSE factory for a demo ride and they told him sorry we now only sell
to L.E. and the milatery..go figure!! K & T
[Edited on 6-17-2012 by captkw]
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BajaBruno
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Marv, you could have one of several different problems. Achilles could have used a non-marine aluminum alloy (say, an aircraft aluminum (7075), which
works great in aircraft but corrodes easily in boats); or you could have a galvanic (dissimilar metal) reaction.
Saltwater alone does not corrode aluminum--there is always another cause (though saltwater may be contributing to that cause).
I would take the boat apart and look for any inadvertent metal that may have wedged itself next to the floorboards, or any metal in the transom that
may be in electrical contact with the floorboards. Even a transient metal like a worn steel fuel tank that rests on the boards.
You could also look for a leaking battery. Aluminum likes a neutral Ph--battery acid spillage could be a problem.
Check that none of the electrics onboard are grounded to the floorboards, either intentionally or inadvertently.
My guess would be galvanic corrosion, though it may take a detective to figure out where it is coming from. Anodes could work, though it seems a
little late now.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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Ateo
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In the gas tank business they use a sacrificial anode, but I know nothing about boats.
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larryC
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Marv
Back in the old days I had a 50' aluminum charter boat and I used to put 150 pounds of zinc on it after every haul out. Never had any problems with
corrosion. I would try a zinc annode on your floor boards and see if that helps. You also might be able to repair the corroded area by cutting out the
bad area and welding in a new piece. Is the bad area ever in contact with wood? If so that may also be what is causing the problem, try to insulate
the aluminum from the wood with rubber gaskets.
Hope this helps
Larry
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1bobo
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The hypalon material Achilles are constructed from is a layered material, with ?live rubber? laid down over the seams. I wonder if these dissimilar
materials could create a dielectric? Does the corrosion appear to be concentrated in a particular location? TOMA. I'm not an electrical engineer.
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