Hi everybody, Last August I bought a 1973 C&C 25 "Tabasco" for fun sailing, since I realized that may Irwin 43 "Waterdancer" is a great liveaboard for us, but really not a daysailor :)
I love the way Tabasco sails, very easy to handle and fast boat. Being a 43 year old boat, obviously she is an old girl, so here is what I am dealing with: There was *excessive rust *(Picture 1) <http://www.boatjuggler.com/images/pic1.jpg> in the bilge. After cleaning it up I discovered that there were multiple washers, or a washer and a backing plate under the keel nuts. I said "were" because although the 1.5 inch nut with and the 3 inch washer is in great shape*,whatever once was under the washer is almost totally rusted off*. In some areas 1/3 or more of the washer is up in air, no contact with the bottom of the bilge. (Picture 2) <http://www.boatjuggler.com/images/pic2.jpg> and what is left, I am afraid, is ready to crumble away. The bilge was full of crumbled rusted metal pieces. Also there was a *very sloppy work* in the area where the bilge sump is, such that you can actually see the treads of the keel bolt under the washer. (Picture 3) <http://www.boatjuggler.com/images/pic3.jpg>. The *washer is halfway in the air* and not totally aligned with the keelbolt. This one is the part that concerns me the most. Also on that picture you can see parts of the mat having cured in *odd shapes*, in front of the bolt. Perhaps someone at one time has done reinforcing, because *I see a substantial layer *(almost 1/2 in) additional layer of mat about 10 inches wide laid up across the bilge on the keelbolt areas. (Picture 4) <http://www.boatjuggler.com/images/pic4.jpg> Interestingly, there is *no water intrusion* into the bilge, and *no C&C smile*. I suspect it has been this way for years. I would like to *remove the keelbolts*, one at a time, get rid of the rusty part, fair out the bottom of the bilge and install new washers. Unfortunately the *boat is in the water *for wet winter storage. My question is, should I wait until I haul out next spring to do the bottom paint to do this job, or should I do it now. I have more time over the winter than I will have next spring. Also, I see *no trace of any 5200 *or similar under the washers. Although I have no leaks, I will add that. My questions are:, - Is it possible that this sloppy work was done at the factory, considering that this is a 1973 model ? - Did anybody else have similar issues, if so, any words of wisdom ? :) - Could I safely do this in the water ? - Any suggestions, besides using mat and epoxy to build up the area around the exposed bolt in (Picture 3) <http://www.boatjuggler.com/images/pic3.jpg>. Many thanks in advance *Ahmet* *Winthrop Yacht Club / Constitution Marina, Boston, MA* *1990 Irwin 43 CC "Waterdancer"* *1973 C&C 25 "Tabasco"*
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