Inboard running gear and electrolysis- bond or don't bond? I know conventional wisdom and possibly current building standards require electrical bonding of underwater running gear on in-the-water inboard boats, but I wonder if it might not be better to have my running gear unbonded. It is bonded now and I think electrolysis is the main reason I loose the antifouling paint on my rudders and struts. I get a little of that pink bronze corrosion that typically indicates galvanic problems. No problem with the stainless shafts and trim tabs, of course they are higher up the galvanic chain so that makes sense.
I'm just thinking that if the very low resistance bonding ground connection from the bonding wire is disconnected, thereby disconnecting the galvanic link between the stainless and the bronze, I might be better off since the link must then be carried by the higher resistance seawater connection. Is the idea that corrosion would be lessened by a higher resistance connection flawed?
My 12vdc and 120vac systems are bonded together, so I don't think this is a stray current issue.
Also I'm looking for opinions on galvanic isolators. Are they worthwhile and reliable?
Thanks for any input.
__________________ 30' Chris Craft Tournament Sportfish |