Skeg shoe bolts

[Marty McOmber]

Hi all,

We are nearly installing the new rudder on our 1984 Passport 40. Curious what you all of have used in the past to attach the bronze shoe to the skeg. Looks like maybe copper rod was used in our boat and they were peened in place. We could use bronze bolts, but I would rather not have nuts standing proud on one side of the shoe.  

Thanks for any info on what you have done to attach the shoe to the skeg. 

Cheers,

Marty McOmber

[jonath...@rcn.com]

pardon the "two part response," it took a bit of looking to find the metallurgy analysis on the copper rivets in our boat.  Using Xray fluorescence (aka XRF), it was determined that the composition was Cu 98.75, Zn 0.82, Pb 0.26, Ni 0.09 and pD 0.09%.  This is essentially pure copper, of the common electrical grade (like used in buss bars).  From McMaster-Carr we chose grade 110.  I believe it was 1/2" diameter and we needed 4 pieces (?).  

[jonath...@rcn.com]

Marty:  My 1985 Passport 37 required work on the rudder post, and the shoe was binding when the boat sat for several weeks.  I ground off the head of the copper rivets.  I match metallurgy with copper rod from McMaster-Carr.  The hard part was flattening the heads.  The first one I did completely in the Skeg shoe after bedding with life caulk.  It was a real pain and took about 1/2 a day with a pneumatic hammer.  FYI copper work hardens when you hammer it.  The other three I flattened one end before I put them through the shoe, built a small gig to hold the rounded head, and modified the pneumatic head to create the right contour as it flattens the end.  It still took near 30-45 minutes to flatten with a 3 HP compressor in a boat yard.  Perhaps an electric hammer might work better, or you might burn it out.  I prefer pneumatic, but could have used a 5-8 HP compressor instead of a 3 HP.  I used west system(surface prep to the bare metal with a West product) and then faired the heads of the "rivets" to a nice low water resistance shape, then primer and bottom paint.  GOOD LUCK!

On Monday, May 2, 2022 at 1:52:42 PM UTC-4 Marty McOmber wrote:

[Jonathan Lee]

This may be a redundant reply? Pardon me if it is.  It appears I have created two identities within this group by accident.  Anyways, 1985 passport 37, repaired skeg, replaced copper rivets.  Chose McMaster-Carr 110 after performing metallurgy analysis.  Pounded ends into oval heads and faired with west system.  Used pneumatic chisel with modified head.  Made a jib to preform 1 side after it took way too long the first time.  Made a 2nd jib to hold rivet firm against keg while hammering the other side.  Bedded skeg with life caulk.  GOOD LUCK.

On Monday, May 2, 2022 at 1:52:42 PM UTC-4 Marty McOmber wrote: