[Rhodes22-list] Lost ballast

cjlowe cjlowe at bright.net
Sun May 8 21:56:35 EDT 2005


Graham,
I repaired a crack on my keel just aft of the center board,two years ago. By
the time I ground out the crack ,I ended up with a hole 1" wide and 3" high.
I lost about 1/2 cup of ballast,which consisted of sand ,chips of lead,most
likely epoxied together.It came out looking like crushed cement. As I
glassed the hole back shut ,I did it 1/4 of the way at a time ,starting at
the bottom. After the glass dried, I'd fill the pocket with epoxy and lead
wheel weights.
My boat is a 86,so the ballast material might be different,but if you
noticed a cement dust coming out of your injection holes  when drilling
them, you probably have a similar compound.I'm thinking the bigger chunks of
ballast are still in there, and side with Todd. If the wind isn't blowing
you over,and the repair isn't leaking---sail on ,brother.
As a side note,at least one person on the list is having to repair the
inside of the centerboard trunk,where the ballast and glass has swelled
,restricting centerboard movement.His posts seam to relay the message that
this is not a envious job.I say If it ain't broke ,don't fix it.
Jerry
S/V Country Rhodes




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