We have used an aluminum Spade 80 for our 7000# boat for 5 seasons on
the Chesapeake.

In article sDzEc.37225$cj3.11922@lakeread01,
Glenn Ashmore wrote:

At the same time I would like some feedback on a few questions that have
come up:

How is the finish on the aluminum models holding up?

The paint on the tip, of course, wore off fairly early, but that section
stays polished. The rest started flaking after a year or so, starting at
the edges. Half of it is gone now after more than 300 anchorings.
Mostly, it's the aluminum corroding.

One thing I have had in the back of my mind for some time is the
possibility of corrosion around the stainless bolt in the aluminum
models.

We have a very slight bit; nothing to be worried about.

Now the most important part: An incident in New Zealand has been
reported in several sailing magazines that is causing some concern. It
seems that the accident was blamed on the Nyloc nut on an S100 backing
off allowing the bolt to fall out.

Unlikely, in my mind. The bolt doesn't seem to be strained that much,
the nut even less. It would take an unlikely number of coincidences to
back the nut off AND punch the bolt out. Even with the bolt out, ours is
very difficult to disassemble with just a little dirt . Heck, removing
the bolt can be difficult in the Fall.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/