[Rhodes22-list] Lost ballast

[Todd Tavares]

Graham,

    This is one problem that I wouldn't have the first idea how to approach, although I have advocated digging down around the trunk and fixing a crack from the inside first, then replacing the ballast lost--if any.

  If the boat still sails ok, then you haven't lost too too much ballast.  It sounds like your repair is working.  I'd say sail it til the spars fall off and enjoy.

Todd

PS:  Ed, I noticed that you didn't mention Roger's name.  You know something we don't?

----- Original Message -----
From: "ed kroposki" <ekroposki at charter.net>
To: "'The Rhodes 22 mail list'" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: RE: [Rhodes22-list] Lost ballast
Date: Sun, 8 May 2005 00:22:00 -0400

> 
> Graham:
> 	You have found a place where you will get some discussion about your
> problem.  Just give the rebuilders time to reply, It may take a couple of
> weeks.
> 	In the meantime you might want to study the old posts to this list
> which are located in the archives.  Unfortunately, many posts are not label
> by subject correctly.  I believe that there is a Rhodie in Florida who found
> a way to research the archives, but you have to search the archives to find
> that answer.
> 	Your questions are not in my skills, so I will leave the technical
> replies to Lou, Todd, Fred, and others.
> 	Best of luck in your challenge.
> 
> Ed K
> Greenville, SC, USA
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Graham Stewart
> Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2005 11:58 PM
> To: Rhodes
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Lost ballast
> 
> I had a problem losing ballast through the bottom of the keel of my 1975
> Rhodes 22 and wonder if others have had the same problem.
> 
> A few years back I got right down under the keel and noticed that a crack
> had formed on both sides of the keel centerboard housing. On closer
> inspection I noticed that flakes of metal were lodged in the crack and later
> concluded that the flakes were actually lead. I appears that the ballast was
> made, at least in part, from small lead flakes.
> 
> I seemed to fix the cracks by removing the centre board and then drilling a
> series of holes into the the keel on the inside of the centerboard housing.
> I then injected a runny epoxy paste into the poles. The epoxy then drained
> down inside the housing and out the crack in the bottom. I then just kept
> scraping the epoxy and pushing it back up into the crack until it thickened
> enough to stay there. It was a terribly messy job as I had to lie directly
> under the crack and ended up with epoxy everywhere on my body and in my
> hair. It seemed to work though as the crack has not reappeared. Still I
> worry that this might be an inadequate repair. My other concern is that I
> have no idea how much ballast I lost.
> 
> I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and, if so, how was it
> repaired?
> 
> I wonder what I would find if I were to try to get inside the housing by
> cutting holes in the hull from inside the cabin into the housing. Would I
> find loose ballast that might be removed to repair the bottom of the housing
> with fibreglass tape? Would I be able to add ballast or would I just cut
> into a solid mass of ballast and cured resin?
> 
> Thanks in advance for any advice.
> 
> Graham
> ________________________________________________________
> Graham Stewart
> mailto:gstewart8 at cogeco.ca
> 
> 
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> 
> 
> __________________________________________________
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