bilge runners or not?

[dur]

Wind Song (new to us this summer) is now on a drying mooring. As you can see from the pics she leans a little way but not far. The ground is 4 inches of mud on chalk so she doesn't float in it in the East Coast way. I had been thinking that maybe I should add some small bilge keels, say 5' long x 6" deep to protect the bottom from the odd flint that appears from time to time. Now I am not so sure. Apart from the work and the reduced speed I am worried that the bilge keel would increase strain on the hull rather than reduce it. If I did add them I would give them their own floors and possibly a stringer if I could figure a way to fit it in. Some temporary removal of cabin joinery would be required.
MG designed her to be able to take the ground, hence the flat bottom, and he did have her on a drying mooring when he owned her in the 50s. But, that was on softer mud and she is another 50 something years older now.

I would be grateful for any views and experiences from the forum on what to do.

 

[Victorious]

What is on the inside?
Any stringers etc stiffening the run of the bilge inside the boat?
Personally am not in favour of runners.. But it is a mix of pros and cons, plus I am perhaps biased as I am concerned that "bilge keels" would reduce your ability to tow 14 ton smacks

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[cliffordpope]

Would they need to be as deep as 6"? I have runners 2" deep, corresponding to full length stringers on the inside.
I don't see how spreading the load can be bad - it would be just like shoving a plank under as she settled if you suddenly realised you were coming down on some obstruction.

I would have thought something as deep as 6" would introduce a new potential weakness, because the fastenings might have to resist a sideways bending force, not just a straight crushing pressure.

 

[joliette]

Would beaching legs work on your mooring?

 

[Peterduck]

I would concur with Joliette, that legs would be worth considering. These would be secured to the clamp, which should be one of the stronger timbers in the ship.
Peter.

 

[Seanick]

After this summer is there any damage? If not I would not worry. If the mooring was on shingle, then some bilge runners would be sensible. They will add drag, are hard to pressure wash behind, and will add a stress area, unless significant works are put in place behind. Took them off my own boat for those reasons.

PS, What a horrible cradle for such a lovely boat! Yard run out of bilge blocks??
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[dur]

Hi Russell

I don't think there are any stringers but I haven't taken the top off the berths yet so have not had a really good look. Job for this weekend. Certainly wouldn't want to reduce Wind Song's abilities as a tug boat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Clifford. I guess there are pros and cons. If they are just for strengthening then smaller I imagine would be okay. If they are to hold the landing place off a stone then bigger but with more risk.

Hi Nick. I can't see any problems (as yet) which is why I am wondering whether going without is a possible option. I haven't really figured where the stresses are when she takes the ground - compared with afloat.

I'll try and take some photos of the bilge this weekend and ask for some further comments if I may.

PS. That was her cradle in Suffolk. She is on blocks and shores now.

 

[FAITIRA]

[ QUOTE ]
Would they need to be as deep as 6"? I have runners 2" deep, corresponding to full length stringers on the inside.
I don't see how spreading the load can be bad - it would be just like shoving a plank under as she settled if you suddenly realised you were coming down on some obstruction.

[/ QUOTE ]
If she was mine I would agree, esp if there is a possibility of her coming down on a stone, there couldn,t be an appreciable loss in performance.

 

[dur]

[ QUOTE ]
Would beaching legs work on your mooring

[/ QUOTE ]
I need to make some legs - subject of another post I think. I worry about what would happen if one of the legs went in a soft spot eg. from bait digging. The other problem is the big rafts of weed we get from time to time. Would be messy.

 

[dur]

I have now had a better look...

There are no stringers. The timbers are 1 1/2" x 1" at about 7" centres. Most look pretty good though one has an obvious crack at a fastening.

This pic is looking down through the starboard berth. The woodwork inboard is for a pair of drawers.

This is in the bilge looking forward

and this aft with a draw in place

There would be room to fit some stringers behind the drawer at the point where the bilge starts to turn which is where she sits when on the ground. On this side at least the stringers could run fairly well forward. On the port side there is a panel in the way.

I would appreciate comments on whether it would be worth fitting something in here even if I don't fit a runner on the outside.

This last pic shows the bilge between the berth and the centreplate case. Not flat bottomed but not far off. Remarkably the teak floors were not added until about 16 years ago so she made do without for her first 60 odd years.