|
|
|
|
|||||
|
||||||
From: Albin43SDtr (no email)
Date: Mon Jul 24 2006 - 15:42:55 EDT
'Lo All
I would be extremely cautious about removing the "false bilges" found
on some boats.
The false bilge serves as a structural member on most boats that have
them. It forms a triangular cross-section with the hull sides to help
prevent hull flex. I would be very careful about totally removing
this, without first making sure I was not destroying the ultimate
integrity of the boat's hull. In benign waters, this loss probably
would never be noticed, but in rough conditions, if the boat's
strength is, in part, derived from this structure, resultant flexing
could cause severe cracking or worse.
If I were to find that removal of all or part of it was necessary, I
would make sure that the strength was not compromised. If removal of
water was all that was necessary, a round, removable, inspection
plate could be installed in the middle, as that should cause the
minimum loss of overall strength.
If there is any doubt that removal of the false bilge floor is a
problem, a simple check can be done. Attach a strong (not easily
stretched) wire across the hull from one side to the other, where the
removed section is. (If a large section was removed, several wires
may be needed.) Secure one side so that it cannot move - wrap the
wire around a strong screw. Clamp the other end of the wire under a
piece of wood or something so that the wire can move only if pulled.
Pull the wire taut across the area, leaving the end so that it can
slip back under the clamp if there is any flexure. Mark the wire(s)
on the inside of the clamp with a MagicMarker, a piece of tape or
something such, to provide a reference mark. Go for a boat ride,
taking some fairly large waves, such as your wake, the bigger the
better, up to those that you may encounter when in really crappy
weather. Check to see if the wire moved under the clamp. Hopefully,
the wire did not move much, if any, but if it did, the structural
integrity of the hull has been compromised. Further investigation
would be required to ascertain how much. Remember, if the removed
bilge floor section was still there, the hull could not have
appreciably flexed at that point, as it would have pulled the floor
section loose from the attachment to the hull.
Most boat builders, as almost all builders of anything, only use
sufficient materials to make their products strong enough to meet
anticipated/design requirements. They use various methods to meet
these strength requirements while using the minimum of materials. The
motivation can be for many objectives, such as weight reduction or
cost. (I am always astounded at the strength of a box-sparred wooden
airplane wing, or even a reinforced foam wing, for an example.
Another example would be the frames of race cars.) Removal of any of
the truly structural components will seriously compromise the
ultimate strength.
JMHO - not that anyone asked.....
Take care and be safe.
Wayne
M/V Celestial
Albin43 Sundeck
_______________________________________________
http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers-and-trawlering
To unsubscribe send email to
with the word
UNSUBSCRIBE and nothing else in the subject or body of the message.
Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World
Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
|