Vic Smith wrote:
On Sun, 15 Mar 2009 10:30:23 -0400, HPEER wrote:


Back to the foam. I have a steel boat and the aft half of my keel is
hollow and too deep for me to reach into. I can't reach about the last
foot. The top of the keel extends up so that the sole rests on it and
the hull is welded to the keel all around. My fear was that somehow I
would hole the keel and not be able to control the leak. I had thought
of pouring foam in but don't want to loose the storage space.

Most Navy ships have exposed hulls below the waterline, and carry
dunnage and purpose-made devices for bracing.
(I was a damage controlman for a bit, but by then it was called hull
technician.)
From what I've seen of sail boats, getting at a hole from the inside
might not be practical. You might get "lucky" and get holed in a good
place.
I'd look for a heavy plastic (visqueen-like) sheeting kit that can be
glued over the hole underwater. Might not be practical in cold water.
Since I don't have a boat I haven't looked for such a kit, but I see
no reason not to make one up.
Here's as far as I'll go in research
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ite...ements-_-1YDZ8
Just to confirm there are underwater glues readily available.
Might be a better one than this.
The kit should have a belt to keep it secure during the diving.
Maybe a couple different sizes of heavy plastic sheeting to cover
holes within reason.
Outline hole with this glue stick, slap on the sheeting, and maybe
razor off the excess sheeting beyond the glue outline.
Off course I'm not arguing against the internally applied foam.
The more prepared the better.
Stopping the water with the external patch will allow time to get at
it internally.
If I had water rushing in behind a fixed cabinet or other inaccessible
spot that the pump couldn't handle, my first inclination would be to
go over the side with the patch kit.

--Vic



This assumes you can get in the water. Where I sail the water temp is
in the high 50s, on a great day.