Triton, area in front of rudder, behind lead.

[cdawgs65]

This area on my triton was weaping before I stripped the bottom and after, so I drilled into it to let it drip out more. Thinking this would let it dry up. It really didn't, so I drilled a couple bigger holes. Long story short, finally found a crack on the side of the bottom of the bilge. Some have said to just close it up and be done with it, I say it should dry up, or somehow, some way it will come back to haunt me! Any thoughts?

[Tim]

Do you mean the false keel?

More specific details of your problem and where you're drilling holes, locating the cracks, and so forth will help us determine how to answer your questions.

[bcooke]

Remind us as to whether your boat has internal or external ballast.

[cdawgs65]

Yes the false keel, several inches up from the bottom and forward from the rudder, about a foot. I know this area must be filled with the foamy floatation stuff that they use to put under seats in aluminum fishing boats. The water was just seeping out of one or two areas, and thats where I drilled. Now the crack in the bilge runs along the seem, where the bottom meets the portside wall of the bilge. The crack or opened seem runs aft/upwards, towards the engine compatment. I just thought if I could dry this foamy insulation up before incapsulating it would be beneficial to alot of things,"weight/moisture" and peace of mind. I also thought of cutting at least a square hole, cleaning and air drying whats in there and then replacing the square piece and glassing it back up. thanks

[Tim]

Here is a thread that contains some good photos of the anatomy of a false keel, which may help you as you proceed with your own repairs.

I just thought if I could dry this foamy insulation up before incapsulating it would be beneficial to alot of things,"weight/moisture" and peace of mind. I also thought of cutting at least a square hole, cleaning and air drying whats in there and then replacing the square piece and glassing it back up.

Yup, that'll work. But however you want to approach it, I think your way will become clear once you start opening things up.

[cdawgs65]

Thanks, I took alook at that thread and probably will read it about twenty times in the near future!

[okawbow]

This area on my triton was weaping before I stripped the bottom and after, so I drilled into it to let it drip out more. Thinking this would let it dry up. It really didn't, so I drilled a couple bigger holes. Long story short, finally found a crack on the side of the bottom of the bilge. Some have said to just close it up and be done with it, I say it should dry up, or somehow, some way it will come back to haunt me! Any thoughts?

Had the same problem, in the same area, on my Bristol 24 last month. I cut out an 8"x3" hole and found a void filled with wet sawdust. Cleaned it out, filled the void with closed cell foam and ground back and repaired the hole with woven roving and glass cloth in epoxy. Strong as new now.