yesterday i started grinding.
have found lots of filler and some fiberglass.
the grinding exposed the lead.
aft from the lead just filler and some rotten putty kind of stuff. some black and brittle (rotten) and some blue and a bit soft but not rotten looking.
when i have reached the lead (ballast) water started dripping out.
not a lot but a drop every 5 seconds. i wonder if it is from the bilge. i pumped the bilge of course but there might still be a bit left.
i will test by filling food coloring (water) into the bilge and see if it is coming out on the bottom.
if it is not from the bilge this might be water from between the lead and the fiberglass ? or it might have been from the damaged a cracked bottom edge. who knows.
after i exposed the lead and the dripping started, i stopped the grinding. i would like it to drain and dry out. unless it is bilge water of course.
a good sign is and was that the bilge had a lot of water before but nothing came out.
of course i used Tyvek suit and respirator for the grinding of the glass.
will definitely post pics tonight.
Denise.: thanks for the continued patience.
Bold Rascal: unfortunately i have no inboard only outboard in the well...
to Tedbeds: thanks for the great advice, i will leave the rudder where it is. i checked the shoe and it does not budge. i hope it is backed by good material, as i did grind around it. great advice about the blocking, i wish previous owner would have known it...