Bow rail mounts rusting

tds8268 · Post by **tds8268** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 5:00 am

My 79 seems to develop rust stains that starts where the rail mounts to the glass, only a few are doing this. Doesn't seem to be the rail itself almost like something is under the glass as a mounting plate. Any ideas?

retman · Post by **retman** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 6:52 am

Re-bed the mounts. Use 316 SS screws.

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 1:05 pm

Are the bow rails screwed on not bolted/

tds8268 · Post by **tds8268** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:41 pm

All the screws and bolts are stainless and aren't rusting. It's almost like there's something under the glass/gelcoat that is rusting. Bow rail looks to be original when I compare to other 35's

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:56 pm

Sounds like crevasse corrosion from less than 316 bolts. The tops will look perfect but if you remove them you will see where it looks like worms have eaten holes in the stainless. Common problem with crappy hardware. It would be worth removing a couple and looking.

tds8268 · Post by **tds8268** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 3:29 pm

Will pull a couple screws and have a look see. Hate this crappy stainless these days. Stopped buying WM junk fasteners and now order straight from McMaster Carr

h2ojst · Post by **h2ojst** » Thu Apr 13, 2017 6:39 am

Bertram also bonded all the rails & stanchions to the main grounding straps that are glassed in along the stringers. You may want to check this and add another wire if yours is missing. This definitely helps with the corrosion. (at least in my case)

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri Apr 14, 2017 5:12 am

I have one place where there is rust around the deck fitting where the rail comes to an end on the starboard side. I have re-screwed and re-bedded it already but the rust has come back. I think it's water getting inside the deck fitting....where the sleeve of the railing fits into the deck mount. I'm going try sealing it with just a little Life-Seal and see if the rust stains on the glass return. Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

tds8268 · Post by **tds8268** » Mon Apr 17, 2017 6:57 am

That's exactly what my seems to be doing at three different locations.

Yardpro · Post by **Yardpro** » Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:01 am

if you have rust coming out of the base it is because there is crevasse corrosion happeinig, you need to re-bed the bases. I know this is old and likely rectified, but honestly i figured the site could use the activity and maybe someone will benefit from a google search........