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#1
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leak into hull from bilge keels
Can anyone suggest a way to stop leakage through narrow gaps between
an iron keel shoe and a bilge keel? The gaps are relative short (a centimetre or three), and possibly the result of long-term (thirty years) corrosion of the upper surface of the keel shoe where it rests against the bottom of the GRP bilge keel. The leakage water appears to travel upwards through the hollow bilge keels and thence through the GRP hull itself to appear as sweat in one location and a puddle in another. The previous owner possibly had the problem some fifteen years ago because some hard-setting cement compound appears to have been applied to the keel-shoe interface. The compound is gradually being lost, or becoming ineffective I guess a fifteen-year solution would suit me, the question is - how to go about it. |
#2
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#3
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Wayne, that would be a proper job. Unfortunately, the bolts are
unconventionally glassed over. In fact they are almost impossible to locate and must be countersunk into the thick GRP hull. Although a surgical approach would be a possibility, GRP lockers are built over them on the starboard side, and the wooden galley and pilot berth on the port side. Thus it is not surprising to find no reference in the literature to this kind of approach. That's why I believe an external patch-up job is needed. |
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#5
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That is about the best.
One other solution suggests itself, and that is to fill the bilge keels with a substance that would prevent water rising up through them. However, given that the state of the interior surface is unknown, it is difficult to think of a substance that would do the job. An off-beat possibility would be a substance viscous enough not to penetrate the hull and lighter than water, so that it would float on top of leaking water and thus form a water-tight seal. Do you think either of these ideas are realistic? |
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#7
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#8
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bookieb wrote:
(David Cranch) wrote in message . com... Can anyone suggest a way to stop leakage through narrow gaps between an iron keel shoe and a bilge keel? snip The leakage water appears to travel upwards through the hollow bilge keels and thence through the GRP hull itself to appear as sweat in one location and a puddle in another. snip No offence meant, but are you sure there's a leak, and if there is, that it's coming from there, rather than elsewhere in the hull or deck? Just the word "sweat" makes me think of condensation... And the strongest GRP is where the shoe grabs the sock. Least likely to leak, except around bolts. What holds the shoe on? Condensation is a possibility. How much water, exactly? Are the bolt heads glassed over? Grind 'em off and remove them, one at a time, inspect, rebed, reseat, possibly. If you must, prop up the hull and shoe, break off all the bolts if neccessary, re drill and tap, set new keel bolts, seal old holes with glass, drill new holes for new keel bolts, or reuse old bolt holes, raise the hull to accept the bolts, or insert them from above... Rebedding with the finest, of course. You may be able to cut the bolts externally, with a sawzall. Notice how one little option can compound it's self? Maybe a root crack, flexing under load? Clean the bottom to gel coat all around the foot. Also inside. Grind out and glass old crack. How much water? 'S prob'ly condensation. Both the same? Re wire boat? Change light bulb? Humidity? Too much ventilation? Good place to keep [beep] cool? Lemonade? Terry K |
#9
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David Cranch wrote:
Can anyone suggest a way to stop leakage through narrow gaps between an iron keel shoe and a bilge keel? The gaps are relative short (a centimetre or three), and possibly the result of long-term (thirty years) corrosion of the upper surface of the keel shoe where it rests against the bottom of the GRP bilge keel. The leakage water appears to travel upwards through the hollow bilge keels and thence through the GRP hull itself to appear as sweat in one location and a puddle in another. The previous owner possibly had the problem some fifteen years ago because some hard-setting cement compound appears to have been applied to the keel-shoe interface. The compound is gradually being lost, or becoming ineffective I guess a fifteen-year solution would suit me, the question is - how to go about it. ------------ common underwater epoxy putty..... used for leak repairs all the time in pools and boats. look for underwater epoxy in a google search. paul oman -- "Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the Sun every year." |
#10
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At the age of thirty years, the keel bolts should be presumed to be past
their useful life. At the barest minimum, it'd be prudent to remove one or two to assess their condition. Chances are good that they're significantly wasted and ready for replacement. This is not a trivial job, but necessary. If you're in doubt about this, consult a surveyor. Ignore this at your peril. How would the boat fare if the ballast fell off and left you with a few new holes in the hull? Before it sank, would it invert? David Cranch wrote: Can anyone suggest a way to stop leakage through narrow gaps between an iron keel shoe and a bilge keel? The gaps are relative short (a centimetre or three), and possibly the result of long-term (thirty years) corrosion of the upper surface of the keel shoe where it rests against the bottom of the GRP bilge keel. The leakage water appears to travel upwards through the hollow bilge keels and thence through the GRP hull itself to appear as sweat in one location and a puddle in another. The previous owner possibly had the problem some fifteen years ago because some hard-setting cement compound appears to have been applied to the keel-shoe interface. The compound is gradually being lost, or becoming ineffective I guess a fifteen-year solution would suit me, the question is - how to go about it. |
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