INVESTIGATOR 563

While stepping up onto the back of the boat off a ramp on Wednesday the whole port side pushpit came off in my hands. Luckily I just stepped back onto the ramp holding the detached pushpit. The frightening thought is that had this happened out on the ocean I would not be around to write this now. So now I'll have to inspect and probably replace starboard pushpit, pullpit, lifeline stanchions, and all the other deck fittings - rats!
Anyone else had this experience - couple of pics.
Cheers

Whoa Emrys, that is bad luck. I will check mine ASAP . Were your bolts that broke off SS as the rails were? I ask because on my old Swiftcraft cruiser the pulpit rails were SS but I found after rust stains kept appearing on the deck that the bolts underneath were mild steel.

Probably this is a similar process to chain plate brackets , the dreaded crevice corrosion. I am lucky as my stern rails are full wrap around with eight attachment points overall but still clearly I should check , particularly as Spritzig II is out in the briney 24/7. Bolt on stern ladders if anybody has them would also be a place to keep a close check on.

Wondering now if the use of mild steel on the swiftly was to stop the " just let go without warning" function of stainless. At least the rust stains tip you off to a problem.

Hard to say until I dig out the broken off bolts out of the hull. Looked up your crevice corrosion theory Ozzie and it seems the most likely.-
"chromium deteriorates in low oxygen areas such as glassed in hull fittings"
Seems crazy if they used low grade stainless bolt fittings on a large high grade tubular structure like this.
Anyway I'll get my local welder to use 12mm 314 grade fittings this time.
The fun never ends