The ole Prop/Rated Rpm thread

[Sonic Boom]

Photos from my buddy draining his keel yesterday. Drilled three holes and would wager 100% of the water still doesn’t come out of the original foam. Wish I could post the video here

 

[The Hatt]

@Sonic Boom i know it’s hard to be an armchair mechanic but I’m starting to notice some water seeping from what looks like a painted over small access hole in the bilge between the engines. It’s not running out but after a day of sitting a small amount will run down and rest at the low point in the bilge.

What other symptoms have you noticed one hour 3 boats that all had water in the keel?

Did you see a drop in rpms at wot? Did you see any water accumulate in the bilge? Boat sitting lower in the water?

Wondering if it’s worth addressing quickly or can I wait u til the next haul out (probably next winter)

 

[Eddieclemons]

After a lot of discussions with really good people here, talking with a past owner, and doing as much evaluation and inspection as possible, I have decided that I'm just over propped when running medium to heavy. I plan to re-pitch when given the opportunity. But yes, I do believe that I probably have some water to keel but it was not the cause of my issues.

 

[Sonic Boom]

@Sonic Boom i know it’s hard to be an armchair mechanic but I’m starting to notice some water seeping from what looks like a painted over small access hole in the bilge between the engines. It’s not running out but after a day of sitting a small amount will run down and rest at the low point in the bilge.

What other symptoms have you noticed one hour 3 boats that all had water in the keel?

Did you see a drop in rpms at wot? Did you see any water accumulate in the bilge? Boat sitting lower in the water?

Wondering if it’s worth addressing quickly or can I wait u til the next haul out (probably next winter)

The biggest symptom we noticed was the "Hatteras smell". Never noticed a reduction in performance since it's a gradual decline. The first boat we found by accident, after drilling a hole water started shooting out from the engine room floor. We cut an inspection hole in the latest boat and thought this keel was dry....after observing and digging out the foam we still found water trapped in there. Pumped out enough water to raise the water line two inches. Another symptom would be the gradual water line change based on previous bottom jobs and the tape line being raised by previous owners.
Doubtful it needs to be addressed quickly.

 

[The Hatt]

Appreciate the insight we’ll probably handle it at the next haul out, or take a small hole saw and see how much wet foam there is.