Lk construction

Posted By: Bob Pr.
Date: 1/29/12 10:24p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: good idea (Clay Wright)

Clay, when I bought my 6.9, it was with the knowledge that the LK shell had separated slightly from the core for a foot or so up from the bottom. Before sailing it, I took the LK out and over a month or so determined how far up (from the bottom) the LK had separated on each side (about 12" on one, about 20" on the other). And then began the long process of repairing it. IIRC, on my 6.9 LK (& presumably on all 6.7 & 6.9 LKs) the lead slug was within 1/8-1/4" of the bottom and about 1/8-3/16" of each side. I have no significant mechanical engineering training -- I think Law Powell does and hopefully he'll (or others) will give better suggestions. Until then, pending his recommendations, I suspect that if you bored holes for 4 lead anchors to receive 1/4" to 1/2" lag screws vertically up from the bottom of your LK (I suggest one forward, one aft on the centerline, and 2 P&S at the widest width of the LK). These are to hold your added lead ballast. Then, whatever the depth of your added lead ballast extension to your LK, then bore into it matching holes just wide enough to drive in the lag screws. Before final assembly, liberally caulk ANY penetrasions of the FG -- the mating around the new holes in the bottom of the LK (to insure that water does not enter and begin to degrade the FG shell to core joint). Also adeqautely caulk the holes in the bottom of the LK lead extension to protect against water seepage up and around the lag screws. Again, I'm NOT a mechanical engineer and I welcome any and all additions to and modifications of this suggested recipe. S2 6.7 #81, "My TARDIS", Topeka & Gallifrey