Shot in bilge

Bigfatsi

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I've got what I believe is an Atlanta Rockall 26, currently moored in Hartlepool.

She's a derivative of the Macwester 27 hull but resized to 26' - at least that's as much as I can gather.

I'm in the process of ripping out the interior to replace it and I've come across a strange situation amidships. The bilge doesn't run from the bow to the stern, but stops in the middle of the boat where the galley (port) and heads (sbrd) are. Then restarts half away along the saloon.

This 'island' has been laid to fill the central bilge, under the heads floor and about 18" into the saloon floor.

It's made of shot and god knows what and stinks of creosote.

I've asked in the Macwester owners group, but thought I'd open it up to anyone who may have experience of it. I'm looking to remove it for drainage and headroom purposes. I've not heard of any extra ballast added to Macs or Atlantas but I'd be the first to admit I'm no expert!

Any ideas, suggestions or warnings?

TIA

Simon.
 

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If it's lead shot, it's almost certainly ballast, but the question is if it's original or a later addition.

I don't think it's lead. I'd say steel. The surrounds seem 'oily' so I'm surmising they used old oil and thinners to stop rust (hence the creosote smell). Then just glassed it over. No idea why. She's not exactly a race boat.

Strange ballasting to get the boat to float lower all round,try and weigh the stuff before dumping

Will do. I'm bagging it up as I go. I'll weigh and label (like Ship Happens) lol.
 
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