Repair to E40 Keel
Date: June 28, 1999 I have a question that I hope one of the E40 owners might be able to answer or guide me in the right direction. I had a misshap this weekend where I tried to move a rock. Unfortunately the rock won. The damage is being assessed now but what I noticed on initial observations is that, although the boat yard indicated there was not much external damage (I personally haven't seen the boat yet. left it in Ct. to be hauled), the internal lead ballast seemd to have moved 1-2 inches aft! I was not taking on water so the integrity of the hull seems to be still intact. Does anybody have any construction or structural info that would explain this. Does the lead ballast "float" inside the fiberglass? Can it be moved back into position? Any advice or a contact for adviice would be appreciated.
Date: June 29, 1999 Sorry I don't have an answer but I sure would be interested to know when you find out.
Date: June 29, 1999 John I have an E40 the lead is not the main problem it is thr water and fuel tanks. Ido not know to fik it but look at the tanks.
Date: June 29, 1999 My E40 is a 1984. I have literally been in my keel on several occasions. My problem was my tanks, which are located in the middle of the keel between forward and aft lead ballast. In my boat the forward lead ballast extends aft to about a foot aft of the main salon table. This lead is set into the fiberglass keel and glassed over top and over the aft face. The lead is set into a resin and filler mixture, and then screws are placed into the lead from the outside of the keel. The external screw heads have been glassed over. If your forward lead segment moved aft, it would mean that it has broken the adhesion of the resin on the bottom interior of the keel and probably bent the screws. Is there a water tank in your keel just aft of the lead ballast? The space between this tank and the lead is about 2-3 inches. If the lead moved it should now be up against this tank. If the lead has moved and you wish to push it forward again, I think the water tank will have to be pulled up. This can be done with a come-along placed in the main companionway. I have done it, and it is quite easy. With the tank out, you can go down into the keel and jack the lead forward. Aft of the water tank is your fuel tank. This can not be pushed against directly, but I think you could build a wood platform to cover the forward face of the fuel tank sufficiently to withstand the load. The fuel tank on my boat is resined into the bottom of the keel, just like the lead ballast, The mid-ship water tank is not set in resin. Another option might be to cut a hole in your hull on the leading edge of the keel. Through this hole you could attach an eye to the lead and pull it forward from outside of the boat. A combination of the two approaches might be required if the lead is too stubborn. I hope this helps. You may contact me directly at TomPowers@sunnuclear.com I have cut into my keel and removed my fuel from outside the boat, I have rearranged my fuel and water tanks, and have seen the forward and aft lead ballast. Good luck
Date: July 1, 1999 Thanks for the reponses! I went to inspect the boat yesterday and was relieved to find the lead had NOT moved and the keel to lead joint seemed to be intact. What did happen was that the old fuel tank (abandon by the previous owner who replaced the 2nd water tank with a new fuel tank) moved forward 2 inches. Apparently the tank was not held in place or the restraints were broken. That was a relief to find. However, closer inspection showed the floor in the main salon had raised by about 1/4" in one corner. Apparently when the boat had "bounced" on the bottom of the keel during the mishap, it pushed the lead up into the water tank and subsequently into the stringer, pushing the floor up. The yard is currently taking the rest of the floor up and the water tank to see if the glass joints on top of the lead have been damaged. Will keep you posted on findings.
From: John Bartoszek JBartosz@symbol.com
From: Wayne Turk janwayne@aol.com
From: Daniel L Michelson pmichelson@snet.net
From: Tom Powers TomPowers@sunnuclear.com
From: John Bartoszek JBartosz@symbol.com
