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Gordon

wrote:
On Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:54:59 -0500, Red wrote:

Capt. John
Overall, maintenance is somewhat higher (your labor), but not a bad
trade off in terms of vessel strength. If crossing the pond and you
happen to bang into a semi-submerged cargo container, you may get a
dent in the steel. With fiberglass, you're boat is likely to take the
Davey Jones express to the bottom.

I wonder if there isn't a practical way to make the underwater section
of the bow/keel stronger on an existing fiberglass boat stronger/more
impact resistant. Surely someone has figured this out, no?

Red

Yes. It's often accomplished by the addition of a layer or two of kevlar cloth
during layup.

I have an anchor locker forward that drains thru limbers to the bilge.
To me, the best idea would to be to plug the limber and install a low
platform for the chain. Then add drains to exit low to the waterline.
Put clamshells over the drains situated to keep water out when plunging.
Now you have a backup watertight bulkhead which would hopefully be
further back than any damage.
Just a thought.
Gordon