Cutting Inspection Holes

[BigGrover]

After reading some of the posts here about cutting inspection holes in the seats to check the flotation I was thinking I might need to do the same for one I am considering purchasing. Where is the best location to make the cuts and install the inpection ports?

[John Stevens]

I just cut mine, I made them in the forward end of the seats.

John

[MarcCram]

Here is where I made my openings, I made the first cut on the starboard seat with just over a 4" diameter hole. After realizing that 4" isn't enough width to remove the foam I had to enlarge that one hole (the reason it isn't as pretty as the other two). Also, the hull was in really bad shape when I took these pictures.

[thumb=620] [thumb=621] [thumb=622]

I will post pictures of the Beckson inspection ports mocked-up when I find them.

Marc

[John Stevens]

Marc,

Nice shots. In the "bow" picture, is the keelson open to the bow? I cut my hole but it's solid foam so I can't get my hand in there.

I'm wondering if the water runs down in that keelson or stops in the bow?

Also, did you cut a drain hole in that keelson? If so, where?

TIA,

John

[MarcCram]

John,

The keelson is open to the bow flotation chamber, it is one smooth molded piece. When I bought the boat it had a drain plug hole drilled on the starboard side of the keelson just ahead of the centerboard trunk. The same size plug used in the seat drains was used here (I don't know if all o'day built DS1's with fiberglass seats have these drains.)

Here's a picture to better describe the location.
[thumb=624]

Cheers!
Marc

[algonquin]

I have a DS1 built in 1963 that has fiberglass seats and no keelson drain plug. The keelson stops short of reaching the forward flotation compartment bulkhead by a few inches. Water is free to run in and out at that point. Brad

[John Stevens]

Thanks for the picture. My keelson goes to the front flotation area but doesn't meet the centerboard cover. I put the plug on the starboard side just a bit further up.


Thanks,

John

[navahoIII]

algonquin,

My keelson is like yours (open and stops short of forward flotation compartment). The boat is also circa 1963. How much of a problem is it if water is there and where does it come from -- a leaky centerboard handle? If it were sealed off in front would water get in there anyway? What purpose does a keelson serve?

Thanks.
Navo