Article - a teak Fit-out

The following are images of work done by the owner- just click the link in the left panel for the entire article including tips on materials, tools and techniques.

Need more functional storage?

Making a boat more "liveable" often relates to the planning and creation of effective storage for all the gear accumulated. This article deals with the planning, design, construction and installation of various storeage areas. It also introduces the profile template as a foolproof way of plotting difficult shapes.

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Galvanic protection

One of the most common and damaging causes of corrosion in metals is galvanic corrosion, which occurs when dissimilar conducting materials are connected electrically via an electrolyte (usually water). Even if two dissimilar metals are not touching, the water can provide an electrical bridge and causes corrosion. When placed in this electrolyte, a current flow from one metal to the other. The less noble material (see panel at right) becomes the anode and corrodes. This is the reason why a chemical or mechanical barrier between the adjacent metals is so important.

The illustration below shows how to prevent this, by placing a barrier material berween the different metals

Crevice corrosion

This requires only one metal (and water) to be present. This type of corrosion results from different oxygen concentrations within water lying in a crevice. The water exposed to the air is richer in oxygen than the water deep in the crevice. The metal adjacent to the oxygen-rich water acts as a cathode or more noble metal, while the same metal deep in the crevice acts as an anode or less noble metal, and so corrodes. This is the reason why even 316 grade "stainless" steel bolts, plates or rods which pass through wood or metal sections may corrode

Keeping these areas dry is important for good maintenance.

Sometimes known as a boat’s “jewellery” well-designed steelwork can make or break the appearance of your boat. Sure, you can stick with “off-the-shelf” hardware and often this will be cheaper than anything custom-made. However, depending on the application and what is readily available, the stock item may just not be the right size, is too frail, or poorly made to job the intended job.

DIY solutions do not have to be second best but some judgement is needed to get the right result at a price the individual can afford. There is a middle ground between those wonderful, custom-made rails, pulpits, stern arches seen on expensive craft and the dreadful “boxy” shapes that are obviously home made. The addition of a curve here, or a rake there can transform a bad design into a good one, often at no extra cost. Maybe it is time to trust your own design judgement so you get the best of both worlds – the right size and design, without the top-dollar cost. It really is not that hard.

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