Anybody make their own cutwater?

[Dale R. Hamilton]

So I turn up a guy who will make a custom cutwater out of SS for I think $13 per linear inch. I thought this kinda high, so this weekend I got some 22g steel, and made a right and left side, scalloped at the top and tappering down below the turn of the stem. Drilled them out for screws, and braised them together. Now must grind down the welds, slick it up pretty good and send it off to the crome shop. I'm very pleased with myself- anybody else do this?

[Thad Van Gilder]

um... chromeplated steel on a boat???

Well, maybe it would last on fresh water. I dunno.

-Thad

[willmarsh3]

Pretty cool.

I found SS to be very expensive too - either stock or fabricated. Also it's more difficult to machine than mild steel.

I did a couple of things similar:

1) I welded up some gudgeons for the rudder out of steel bar stock from the big orange box. Then I sent them to "Its Not Paint" to be dipped and powder coated. So far no rust or paint chipping off. This is seen here: here (http://home.att.net/~willmarsh3/el/elver012305.html)

2) I then welded up a motor bracket. This time I polished it with an edge grinder (in lieu of sandblasting), coated it with Zinga brand zinc coating, and spray painted it with Rustoleum. The finished bracket is shown below.

http://home.att.net/~willmarsh3/el/web_8188.jpg

So far no problems. Easy to fabricate ... Easy to replace ...

Will.