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daveyjustin · 04-02-2009, 00:17

Hi

Please have a look at this photo of the hull. The folkboat's ballast is bolted to the hull, however most of this vintage are not encased in fiberglass like the alberg 30 for example. This boat is a Whitby Continental 25 folkboat.
Does anyone else own this boat? It would be great to hear from others who do. It's hard to find info about this specific folkboat.
Anyway, I'm new to sailing and newer still to restoration.
Does anyone know how I might replace this wedge shaped piece of wood that has been bolted in place, where there should be a continuation of the solid piece of ballast? Has anyone seen this before? I can't figure out why this is.

How bad could this be?

**GordMay** · 04-02-2009, 06:09

You could make a replacement piece with casting resin.

ie:

Casting with Epoxies:
Epoxy Casting Tips

How to do Casting with Casting Polyester Resin:
http://www.tapplastics.com/uploads/p...in%20Craft.pdf
And:
http://www.tapplastics.com/uploads/p...ting%20Tip.pdf

Amgine · 04-02-2009, 22:50

It's easy enough to shape a new piece of wood, too. Cut a blank that will fit to the hull and ballast (most likely a simple 90 degree cut in something as wides as the widest point and slightly longer than the longest point.) Temporarily fasten in place, and mark where to take of material quickly.

Then it's just a process of shaving it down to shape. A good woodworker with hand tools could probably do it in a day or two; it might take you longer if you haven't done this sort of work before. Then use an appropriate mastic and paint it. Note that you probably won't like the first version you finish. But don't get too uptight about perfection since this is going to be underwater, and is going to be replaced in the not too distant future.

daveyjustin · 07-02-2009, 13:41

Thanks for the suggestions. Any guesses as to why this piece was added by the original owner? I can only think that collision would have caused this?
Any idea how I can seal up the whole ballast and this piece?

Amgine · 07-02-2009, 19:13

My guess is the builder added the piece, because the lead is deliberately not run out to a thin edge. Lead is not the hardest of metals, and can deform too easily to be used in fine shapes. Making that shape in something easy to shape, rigid, and easy to replace lets the lead be positioned more easily.

The lead is on the outside of the boat for very good, traditional safety reason - it can serve as a bumper if you run into a bottom. It can absorb a large blow without harming the watertight integrity of the hull. This is an important role, but it is dramatically reduced since the development of electronic depth sounders, GPS, and good charts. Still, we hear all the time about boats running aground, so maybe it's not a stupid idea even today. I know of at least one specific boat sinking in which the boat probably would not have sunk had the lead been on the outside.

daveyjustin · 08-02-2009, 00:17

I must say that your very rational thinking has put a smile on my face.
Thanks for the lesson in early boat design. I feel a lot less concerned about it now.

Amgine · 08-02-2009, 13:11

::grin:: You have a gorgeous looking hull there... I don't think I've ever seen a folkboat with an inboard engine, actually.

Good luck with the spring commissioning! hope to hear about your adventures here.

shiloh25 · 24-06-2014, 17:13

Noticed this post and thought I would "chime in"..Notwithstanding the post is several years old now I can confirm the Keel fairing piece in question is factory installed and not a DIY solution.

I recently refurbished a C25 and am interested in hearing from other owners.. less than 40 built so this boat is rare. It is however a worthy project boat if you can find one.

shiloh25 · 24-06-2014, 17:20

Shiloh Refurb

Transom hung rudder to install but you get the idea

Questions /Comments welcome

shiloh25 · 08-08-2014, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiloh25

Shiloh Refurb

Transom hung rudder to install but you get the idea

Questions /Comments welcome

Attachment 83705

(

'I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship'

willyd · 20-11-2014, 13:57

I'm a fellow owner as well, and mine has that piece of wood in the same place. These iron keels get rusty after awhile and last time I hauled her out I ground down the keel until I got tired of it, painted it, and put the boat back in the water. I should at some time have it sandblasted and then try to seal it, maybe next time I have to haul her out for bottom painting.

kea · 17-07-2015, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiloh25

Shiloh Refurb

Transom hung rudder to install but you get the idea

Questions /Comments welcome

Attachment 83705

I know it's been a while since you posted, but hopefully you're still on the forum. I have a question regarding the transom hung rudder. The rudder is broken off of mine -- like yours, it has two gudgeons on the hull, but the top one (above the water line) that I cannot see on your image is a pintle -- two pintles on the lower part of the rudder and one gudgeon on the top? If you have any photos of this, it would be wonderful to see. I'm going to have to have it machined and I want to make absolutely sure I'm doing this correctly. I have a transom mounted outboard motor and it would appear that is the case with yours as well. Thanks for any help!