Moisture in keel

[Steve Linkinhoker]

I own a Cape Dory 30 that registered 17% moisture on my meter on the bottom of my keel near the rudder. What level of concern should I have? Anyone dealt with this before?

[johnny of STORK]

Steve -- Stork (also '82 CD 30) had a similar problem. The bilge sump is right behind this area, and so there will be moisture near there, anyway. However, Stork had apparently been allowed to freeze in some winters, and the water in the bilge expanded outward a little, making star-shaped patterns in the gel-coat. I opened this area up, and found that, during manufacture, this aft area between the hull halves had been filled with loose fiberglass strands that might have been lightly wetted with epoxy. The result was a pretty porous fill, which seems to allow a fair amount of moisture retention. I have never had blisters there, and so don't worry about it too much, as Stork now lives in Mexico, and doesn't freeze. I'd say, if you keep your bilge dry, it shouldn't be a problem. Others may advise that you be more concerned.

Johnny