Ericson 29 deteriorated bilge lining

[kw72]

Hello everyone,

I would appreciate some advice on how to address a deteriorated bilge lining in my early-1970s Ericson 29. The boat is kept in the water year-round in a marina on San Francisco Bay.

The thin fiberglass lining in the bilge has deteriorated and appears to have exposed the lead ballast. I am not sure how serious this is. The exposed surface is pitted, presumably from corrosion or long-term moisture exposure.

The boat is currently hauled out for bottom painting, so this seems like a good opportunity to make a repair if one is needed. At the moment, the bilge is completely dry.

I inspected the exterior of the keel and did not find any weeping or other obvious signs of water intrusion. I also sounded the keel by tapping, and it sounds solid throughout.

My main question is whether I should be concerned about water getting into any voids or spaces between the lead ballast and the surrounding fiberglass keel cavity. If so, what would be the recommended way to address this?

Otherwise, my current thought is to clean and prepare the area, then cover the exposed lead with epoxy and fiberglass. Would that be an adequate repair, or is there something more I should be considering?

Any suggestions or experience with similar Ericson keel/bilge repairs would be appreciated.

Thanks,
KW

 

[Afrakes]

I assume that your bilge is a deep one located at the very rear of the keel. I did a similar successful repair you described on my former E-27. What you propose should be adequate. If I remember correctly the encapsulated keel configuration included foam around the lead keel covered by the fiberglass skin. If you aren't seeing any external evidence of leakage, I wouldn't be concerned. There is an E-29 on the hard in our marina and the yard unfortunately placed a support block directly underneath the hollow bilge area not under the solid lead area.