I was just cleaning out my M-17 for the winter and I was surprised that the bilge was about three-quarters full of water. A small amount of water may have run in after spurting through the centerboard pennant hole (I generally keep it plugged, though), but I doubt that would have been enough to nearly fill the bilge. Also, the portable hand pump I had sitting partly in the bilge had a bit of rust-colored slime on it, suggesting that maybe the water came through the keel.
I had the boat's keel trunk and centerboard worked on last winter to relieve a sticking board. When the shop first cut a hole in the keel to check for rusting ballast, they mistakenly cut partly through to the bilge on the first try (about a 2.5" diameter hole). Of course they reglassed everything, but I can still feel the cut round hole at the very bottom inside of the bilge right where the keel trunk is walled off. My questions are: 1. Does anyone else get much water in their bilge? I assume a completely dry bilge is the norm. I kept my boat on its trailer during the season, with the exception of a couple four- to five-day cruises. 2. Does anyone have suggestions on how to ensure a dry bilge in this situation? I suppose I could cover that hole area with a layer of thickened epoxy, but it's a tough area to access and clean and see what you're doing. Again, I'm not certain that the water came through this previously cut area. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Gordon M-17 #377 "Sapphire" Milwaukee _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
