plugging up a wet well in my hull

[mic]

Hi everybody,i've recently bought a boat and i've owned it for a few months now, it is an aft wheelhouse cray boat built to fish the waters of Bass Strait in southern australia. For those who know the type, this boat has a "Well" built in midships which holds the catch and lets seawater into the Well via 2.5" holes drilled through the hull planks which are 1.5" thick. Because i plan to refit the boat into a motorsailor i must pull out the Well in order to put in the accomodation.I know the water in the well is also acting as ballist but there is no problem with putting in a few more lead ingots. There is aproximatley 60 holes in the bottom of the hull with copper sleaves in them also a layer of concrete lining the inside of the well so the Crayfish dont eat the boards. My idea of plugging the holes was obviously to remove the concrete first and make butt blocks with a dowel the same size as the holes sticking out of the middle of the block and fastening them in. Sombody told me to buy or make big bronze screws and screw them in but i don't know. Looking for some good ideas from all you GOOROO'S out there. HELP!

[Donn]

Mic, How many planks are drilled, and how long are the sections that are drilled? It may be easier and more economical (not to mention safer) to just replace the drilled planks. I don't think bronze screws, 2.5" in diameter and 1.5" long exist, and having them made would be a major expense.

Whatever you do, I sure would love to see some pictures of the boat and the well...sounds fascinating.

[ 09-25-2002, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: LOON ]

[Jack Heinlen]

Yeah, if I'm seeing this I think the right way to do it would be to replace some sections of planking. You'll have to make a diagram of where the existing butts are, and do a little research to find out spacing on the new ones. Or, scarf the new sections in. An article in the recent Wooden Boat talks about some of the issues.

This probably isn't what you wanted to hear. Never fear, there are always half-assed solutions to such problems...can't think of one at the moment...How 'bout keeping the existing well and using it as a cooler? Small swimming pool? Live well?

Best of luck,

Jack

[mic]

Ok, the Well is aproximatley 7'x 7' on the waterline and below; from above the waterline to the deck, the well tapers in to a deck opening of 6'x5'. I'm not sure exactly how many boards are drilled, but i would say about 20. As for how long the boards are, well i can't see any but blocks but they could be under the concrete that's in the well. The boat's dimensions are LOD 46'/beam 14'6"/draft 6',i would say the waterline is aproximatley 44'. I'll also have some photos of the boat and the well in the next couple of days but it would be an absolute pain in the ass to have to change those boards.

[Adam C]

Fill the holes with round dutchmen epoxied in place. Bolt a butt block on the inside of each hole, or perhaps even an interior plank similar to a double planked hull on the inside on the strakes that have holes.

No biggie. Don't replace planks. Obviously the boat was designed to have holes in it, so it'll be even stronger with holes plugged.

[mic]

http://southernmist0.tripod.com/boat.jpg
http://southernmist0.tripod.com/boat1.jpg
http://southernmist0.tripod.com/boat2.jpg
http://southernmist0.tripod.com/boat3.jpg
http://southernmist0.tripod.com/boat4.jpg
http://southernmist0.tripod.com/boat5.jpg

heres the links to my photos people, any other ideas please reply.. iam trying to get some better shots of the well. to get to my pictures you have to cut and paste the adress into a new window on your browser otherwise tripod wont let you view them,

mic

[neville Guy]

mic
Hi I read your Query on plugging wetwell,if you are interested I have just completed the same thing on my ex pro boat at williamstown victoria
ifyou would like to see process advise me and I can show you finished job.p/n 03 93702266

regards
neville