Rot near forward keel bolts in bildge on 1981 Hunter 30

[testingthewaters91]

Just checked the bildge. She's clean and sails well. Noticed rot where there was standing water in the bildge. Is this as serious as it looks? Almost looks like it's below the mast.

Structural?

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[ggrizzard]

Our model boats were designed with a "wet" bilge, unless a previous owner modified the ice box drain and shaft seal set ups.
Vacuum out the bilge, then take a wire brush attachment that fits a power drill to the rusty/grungy spots. Vacuum again and clean with Dawn (use sparingly).
Then send me a PM with new pics of the bilge and well see what needs to be done.
G Grizzard
SV Intuition

 

[testingthewaters91]

Will do. Thanks for the quick and clear reply. I understand now about the wet bilge design and how to clean it up. I’ll vacuum, wire brush the rust, and rinse with a little Dawn. Then I’ll send updated photos.

Curious too about that old block under the compression post. Some say it may have been there just to stop mast bounce.

Would love to see pictures of some other's bildge areas with this part visible just for context.

 

[ggrizzard]

I'll take pics when the latest refit is done. Done 3 in the 46 years I've owned
SV Intuition.
G.

 

[testingthewaters91]

Great. Thank you. I'm just wondering if it's alright to take her out or if I should wait. She hasn't been acting up in any way I've noticed. I just didn't want to sail if that corroded block is integral to the structure of the vessel.

 

[ggrizzard]

Clean first...
Then you decide. You're the Captain after all!
We'll talk about the mast step after I see the pics.

 

[testingthewaters91]

Is the compression post meant to rest directly on the bilge fiberglass? If so, the bottom looks gone. Or does it usually sit on a separate block?

Will clean it up when I get back to the boat.

 

[Intrepid-II]

Looks like someone drilled a hole through the rusty steel post and bolted a strip of aluminum to it that will do nothing to strengthen the post.

 

[ggrizzard]

Report
testingthewaters
The floor (under the teak floor board) is an integral, one piece, fiberglass, tabbed in part of the boat structure. On mine, there is a mild steel support in the bilge that is wrapped in fiberglass that holds up a plywood section, adjacent to the floor, that the mast step support pole sits on. That support fails over time and must be replaced,
Without your pictures, I can't be sure if your mast support is exactly like mine.

There are a few videos on Youtube that show various Hunter owners' procedures in replacing that insert.
Don't get ahead of yourself. Clean the bilge, take pics with good lighting and post them. Then all of us can opine on your situation.