Bildge Coloe

[Royce Hallock]

I've had this 76 H30 for 7 years and have enjoyed it alot. I have done many upgrades, including replacing the iron I-beam in the bildge with stainless. A recent symptom has developed in the bildge. I'm getting a rust colored stain covering the bottom of the bildge. It will wipe off easily, and I've cleaned it only to have it return. I can't find anything rusting or locate the source of the stain. It appears like a powder coating under any bildge water in the bildge.

 

[Jay Hill]

Location, Location, Location

This is a prime example of why the home port addition was so helpful.Royce, If you are in Corpus Christi and sail the bay a lot, is it possible that any water coming into your boat via stuffing box or engine cooling intake is full of that wonderful silt in the bay. Your strainer may be leaking a little bit? Only when the boat has a chance to sit does the silt sink out of the water. Then again, if the color is really closer to red than tan or "reddish brown" then it is probably rust as you suggest. Still might be the strainer. Have you checked the chainplates and stanchion bases as well? Might be a bit of a leak there. Could also be old/corroded grounding terminal attached to keel bolts somewhere. With all the condensation on the boats in Corpus, it might be some rust actually ON the motor (mounts, exhaust manifold, starter cable connections, etc.) and the condensation drips it into the bilge.Please let us know if you find it.

 

[Joe Ciccone]

Bildge Color

Royce,Sorry I do not have suggestion for the rusty color water in your Blidge. I am however interested in knowing how difficulte it was to replace the I-Beam under your compression post?? My H-30 tall rig has a rusting I-Beam and I am concerned that it might fail. Were you able to get help from Hunter or did you wing it on your own?? Any help you can provide would be apprectated. Do you have a tall rig H-30 or is yours a Standard rig? I am looking to swap my tall rig and sails for a standard rig in order to clear a bridge here in Oriental, NC. Look forward to your reply.Regards, Joe Ciccone ciccone@lpmonline.net

 

[Gerry Lankin]

More info on I beam replacement

Can you provide more information about the replacement of your I beam. Mine is rusting and I am contemplating replacement. How big a job? Did you unstep the mast, Anything you could tell me would be a help.

 

[Tom M.]

Rust is magnetic

If it's rust, and is coming from steel, it's magnetic, so use a magnet, it may be the deteriation of wood between deck or cabin top, but I don't think it's silt.