Another mystery hole/void
While waiting for the epoxy to do its thing yesterday I scraped the bottom paint off of a couple spots at the aft end of the keel just above the rudder strap (see pic one.) What I found was interesting and perplexing (two feelings I have often these days working on A-24) at the same time. There is a purple substance that I have also found a few other places on the boat filling what appears to be a hole or something. This filler material is extremely hard. In the center of the material as seen in pic two and three there is a hole. I was able to shove an exploratory stick way up, so there is clearly space there. There are two areas like this. Does anyone know what I am looking at? Do these holes allow water into the bilge? How did A-24 stay afloat before me?
http://www.mrmert.com/ariel24/images...20hole%201.jpg
The hole can be seen in the center of the purple filler and goes straight up.
http://www.mrmert.com/ariel24/images...20hole%202.jpg
Here is a closer shot.
http://www.mrmert.com/ariel24/images...20hole%203.jpg
Depth Sounder Box Replacement
Here is my plan to replace the hideous attempt at weather-proofing the depth sounder. I am going to add a four inch bronze fixed port to the bulkhead and then mount the depth sounder display behind on a nice piece of mahogany. The mahogany piece will have a hinge so that it can be flipped out of the way to allow light inside if I want. I like this approach because the depth sounder display will be able to be read from the inside or out and it won't be in the way like one mounted that swings into the companionway. This will also allow me to keep the companionway boards in and still read the depth. The added light is the bonus and I plan to add another on the port side to keep things symetrical. My Cape Dorification of hardware has begun with this step toward bronze.
How it looks right now...
http://www.mrmert.com/ariel24/images...eter%20box.JPG
This is what will be in its place.
http://www.marinershardware.com/imag...dBz328x304.gif