Purchased an 2004 Bravo that has spent most of it's live on the Ocean Beach. I think it was sailed pretty hard in the surf - but that's ok, I like happy boats. My concern is there appears to be fairly severe crevice corrosion between the aluminum a-frame and the stainless plates which affix it to the hull. I can't tell if strictly cosmetic at this time, because the a-frame is solid as a rock. Curious to what others have to say. Appears to be "old style" a-frame as there are four rivets at the bottom of the vertical tube.
I once read that sailors/boaters make there own luck. Every-time you do something strictly by the book or prepare or maintain or take a conservative course of action, you put a $1 in the luck box. Then when one day, when the proverbial "you know what" hits the deck, you make a substantial withdrawal from the luck box. Your deposits are unknown to others, so they simply say, "boy were lucky."
I was reminded of this while going over my new-used Bravo. I didn't like the way the joint felt between the tiller and the extension. When I disassembled to inspect and lube, I found the 1/4x20 bolt was bent just below the head and actually had started cracking through. Somebody had a lot of fun in the surf! Granted, "it's only a dingy sailor" - but I smiled while putting my dollar bill in the box. Cheers, Kevin.
_________________ Lived aboard 30' S-2 Center Cockpit for 13 years (Milwaukee WI / Corpus Cristi TX / Miami Beach FL) about 12 years ago. Don't miss the maintenance, but miss the sailing - Just purchased Used Hobie-Bravo - WOW!
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