under the floorboards concrete ballast

[mfi]

I'm fixing up what I believe is a 1973 Columbia 22 foot. I took up the floor boards and found concrete on both sides of the center . It's half gone from water damage. should I just pour new concrete in .

 

[Brian]

Concrete Ballast

I know some boats used a concrete ballast, mine is one of them. If yours came with crete from the factory I probally would repour it. If it did not come like that you may want to remove it, and try it without. This may give you the chance to put more in than it had before, or less than before. It depends on how the boat handles and what kind of weight you may need depending on what you normally carry onboard... Hope this helps, Brian

 

[Hooper Harris]

Try the Columbia lists

As good as this site is, the Yahoo and Sailnet sites referenced on the Columbia Yacht Owners Association site at www.columbia-yachts.com are the best for sharing information on these fine old boats. Surely, there is a C-22 owner on one of the lists who can help you. Before we got our H34, we had a 1965 Columbia Contender, a 24 foot sloop. The Yahoo site was a tremendous help in getting her back in the water. Give 'em a try.Hooper