Corrosion issues with an aluminum Seaview radar mount

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Will-C

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C Dory Year
2008
C Dory Model
23 Venture
Hull Identification Number
CD023007A808
Vessel Name
Will-C
P1010447.jpg

This is Seaview aluminum radar mount for our Garmin 18HD radar which has some obvious issues with the coating flaking off in just a couple months over three years. The LED light bar fits in the upper hole in the rear of the mount is where the problem started. Waiting for a reply from Seaview to see how to respond to the issue. They has a stainless mount and a stainless LED light bar which I don't believe will corrode but might require remortgaging the house. :sad
I don't if this occurs with other radar mounts but although we do use our boat in saltwater it is washed with soap and water after ever use. It resides on a trailer in our driveway. I don't think this should have occurred so soon.
I'll let you know what Seaview's position ends up being.
D.D.
 
P1010450.jpg

Another side shot of the problem.
D.D.
 
Exactly why I had one made out of S/S. I looked at the cost of the alum ones and for a little more $$, mine will not corrode like that. The powder coating did not last.
 
Agree that powder coating does not last, but it also suggests that these struts were not properly prepped. I have had aluminum masts which I have sprayed with Urethane paint.
1.) sand down to bright aluminum,2) Wash with detergent solution and rinse 3) clean with acid etch solution such as Alumiprep 33 and rinse 4) Immediately treat with Alodine 1201 conversion coating 5) prime with MIL-P-23377 compliant corrosion resistant epoxy polyamide primer 6) top coat I have had these last for many years, where there was no cleaning after every use. You can just use the spray cans of XXX chromate and primer and then spray with marine paint also--quick and "dirty"--but won't last as long.
 
It did not look as if any type of primer was used. It crept out of where the light bar exits the pedestal. I emailed pic's to the supplier he has contacted the rep to see if they can anything for me $$ wise if I to move up to their stainless pedestal and light bar. Sometimes parts are heated then placed in air circulated colored powder and that bonds into the metals surface a lot better. That type of coating you can scratch but not peel or flake like this did. The one saving grace was the parts did fit together nicely.
I guess I get it sand blasted and give a shot of some zinc chromate and some white Johnson lower unit paint. Then it's off Ebay or Craig's list they go.
D.D.
 
I wonder where these are made and "coated". There is so much of our "marine" material which comes from China....or worse.
 
That is pretty bad, for sure. The sequence thataway describes is a PITA, but necessary. I wonder what alloy that is. Bet it is not one intended for marine service.
 
The verdict is in, the offer from Seaview is re powder coat the pedestal for free or I sent back and they give me a 100 dollar credit towards the stainless steel version. Since I don't anticipate selling our boat any time soon I'm going to swing for the stainless version. I bought the pedestal through BOE marine who have been great and speedy getting me an answer. I had hoped for more, but if wishes were horses we'd all take a ride. :cry
D.D.
 
At least they were stand up and offered something. BOE is a good vender and has a good reputation!
 
Dave-

So (If I may ask) how much was the new SS version?

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Joe,
I'm not sure but I think it's going to be at least $300 plus another $130 for the stainless light bar with the LED all around light. Less the hundred dollar credit about $330 dollars. I'll come clean when I find the real deal.
D.D.
 
Dave- Thanks! I was just guessing that the deal would probably be about $400 in stainless, and wanted to check it out for curiosity. Thanks, again!
Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Joe,
Well to upgrade to the stainless version of the radar pedestal and the new light bar (I can reuse the LED all around light from the powder coated version as it's the same light. The total is $325.94 $194 for the stainless pedestal, $122.85 for the stainless light bar plus 8.95 for shipping. These prices shown are less the $100.00 credit for the powder coated model that I am returning. I'll be happy to get the boat back together. :)
D.D.
 
D.D.

I have gone the same route you did. I have an aluminum powder coated strut by ScanStrut. Looked nice and worked well for the first few years. last season I noticed there were some small fleck of powder coating coming off. This season it lost about 10 - 12 sq inches so I started with ScanStrut out of the UK. It took some doing but they eventually offered me the price of the aluminum off on an upgrade to the SS version. Unfortunately they are not exactly the same configuration, but it is going to work. I am not going back to aluminum, and the switch will be done over the winter season.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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