DSK wrote:
I would have had it shot peened and put in a chemical bath first.


Dave wrote:
Followed by heavy plating with gold, not doubt.


Sure. Gold makes excellent ballast.

Sure does, I cubic foot of gold weighs over 2000 LBS.

While in the USCG my brothers ship WHEC 720 USCGC Sherman they rescued
a guy who's sailboat sunk with his lifes savings in gold coins in a
bilge safe. Somewhere off WA State in deep water. Was only like 200K
making it not cost worthy to salvage.


Plate it on there nice &
thick! Might have good anti-foul properties too.

Might, not sure..I've seen some pretty encrusted gold coins that were
recovered.


When you're dealing with a 27 year old boat calculations are a bit
different.

If you got a buddy who works the night shift at a plating
plant, it might not cost all that much.

Wonder what it would cost to build a plating tank to plate steel
bottoms?
Bet it's been done.

Joe

DSK