1967 Alberg 30 Bilge Rot / Keel ballast exposed

[NomadX]

The glass layer that encapsulated the ballast is cracked wide open. It appears the ballast has been exposed to water and oil for and extended period of time. Most likely for decades (that is at least what it looks like). However it doesnt appear that the water penetrated down between ballast and hull. Well it could be, but the hull is sound and there are about 5 quarter size blisters that dont go beyond the first layer of glass down on the keel.

So i plan on removing the floor, drain and scrub the bilge. The bulkheads are solid and good condition but i possibly have to remove them to gain full access in order to remove all oil and the cracked edges of the old glass. I then plan on covering the ballast with epoxy and a few layers of cloth and then seal it up with some barrier coat.

Will this be effective in ceasing any further deterioration? How would you deal with it?

[Orion Jim]

A great question best directed to those who may have had the same experience with their Alberg 30’s.
The Alberg 30 Site

[Yorik D Jester]

My A30 is just a few years older and that seems to be the best plan as there doesn't seem to be much more that can be done in that area

[NomadX]

Originally Posted by Yorik D Jester

My A30 is just a few years older and that seems to be the best plan as there doesn't seem to be much more that can be done in that area

I will do some more research on it but most likely that is what imma gonna do.

[NomadX]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

A great question best directed to those who may have had the same experience with their Alberg 30’s.
The Alberg 30 Site

Thx. I will give it a try

[Don C L]

So it appears the encapsulation popped up due the rust on the iron ballast?

[Fore and Aft]

On an old Formosa we drilled some holes in the keel then poured some cheap thinners into the keel area and basically washed what we could not see. After the thinners to save money we poured small amounts of polyester resin in the keel void. Then once that was all cured we used glass and polyester resin to seal the top of the keel. Then we put a heavy layer of flow coat in the bilge.
Cheers

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Nomad.

[Cruiser2B]

Go to Atomvoyages.com. Talk to James, he has rebuilt and modified many A30s. He is a wealth of knowledge on these older Alberg designs

[Michael Pope]

Just a spurious note Many people do not realize that Iron, Fe becomes Iron -Oxide when it rusts------- The Iron Oxide is 17 times the volume of the original Iron . Discovered when one and a quarter inch thick Teak Laid deck had one and a half inch "Hills" in it from rusting away a 3 mm iron deck beam. Incredible but true. Mike Pope

[NomadX]

Originally Posted by Don C L

So it appears the encapsulation popped up due the rust on the iron ballast?

Im not sure if the encapsulation popped up due to the rust but it is possible. It simply lays bare and the encapsulation doesnt fully cover it. But a few chunks came of when i grinded it down to bare iron.

[NomadX]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

On an old Formosa we drilled some holes in the keel then poured some cheap thinners into the keel area and basically washed what we could not see. After the thinners to save money we poured small amounts of polyester resin in the keel void. Then once that was all cured we used glass and polyester resin to seal the top of the keel. Then we put a heavy layer of flow coat in the bilge.
Cheers

Im not sure if the water penetrated the space between ballast and keel. At the first glance it doesnt appear as such and from the outside there is no blisters and when the inspector checked the hull for blisters there was nothing to be found that would indicate anything relating to this issue. But thats a solution i will consider. Thx

[NomadX]

Originally Posted by Cruiser2B

Go to Atomvoyages.com. Talk to James, he has rebuilt and modified many A30s. He is a wealth of knowledge on these older Alberg designs

Thx. I will.

[NomadX]

Originally Posted by Michael Pope

Just a spurious note Many people do not realize that Iron, Fe becomes Iron -Oxide when it rusts------- The Iron Oxide is 17 times the volume of the original Iron . Discovered when one and a quarter inch thick Teak Laid deck had one and a half inch "Hills" in it from rusting away a 3 mm iron deck beam. Incredible but true. Mike Pope

A dream comes thru lol. A lot from little for nothing...

[Don C L]

So I am curious, for all the Alberg owners out there, is the iron set in the keel and then smothered in resin during construction? That might bode well in terms of worry about the iron rusting and busting the keel apart.