split and buckled bilge floor

[Dan Hanlon]

This is strange one. The bilge floor under the icebox is split and pushed up. This is about 18 inches in aft of the lift eye. There is what feels like lead underneath, that may be what pushed it up. There is absolutely no sign of trauma on the hull or keel. There is no blistering or any other indication that this condition has ever allowed water down into the keel. In the few weeks Shweego has been in the water, there has been about an inch of water in the bildge. That level is not going up or down, indicating this condition does not allow seepage in or out. Has anybody ever seen anything like this? One observer who is more accutomed to boats with bolted on keels thought the boat was dropped or hit something real hard, until I explained the entire hull and keel are one piece. It's a mystery.



djhhan@aol.com

[Al Levesque]

This is strange one. The bilge floor under the icebox is split and pushed up...

Is there any chance that water froze under the bilge floor during the winter?

Al



albertlevesque@cove.com

[Dan Hanlon]

This is strange one. The bilge floor under the icebox is split and pushed up...

Is there any chance that water froze under the bilge floor during the winter?

Al

Al,

Yes there is. I just bought the boat and do not know how long it has been this way. However, I have my doubts. The buckle is at about a 50 degree angle. That is a long way for the ice to push up. There is also this metallic feeling bulb that seems to have pushed it up. The raised fiberglass is incredibly strong and rigid. A hammer just bounces off it. It is too far back to get a good look. I plan to try and cut it back with a Dremel tool to see what is underneath. My concern is that water may get to the keel. I am trying to ascertain if the keel is sealed below this top layer of bilge floor, which is about an 1/8 inch thick wear raised. If ice did cause this, I can't see where it got in in the first place. And why no external signs?



djhhan@aol.com