Weird stuff in bilges

[oilyrag]

I found this stuff in the bilges of my Copland trailer sailer, between the floors and glassed over - what on earth is it? It's light but doesn't float so assume it's not for buoyancy, nor could it be ballast, whole lot probably only weighs a kilo.
Completely flummoxed

 

[seadog30]

I found this stuff in the bilges of my Copland trailer sailer, between the floors and glassed over - what on earth is it? It's light but doesn't float so assume it's not for buoyancy, nor could it be ballast, whole lot probably only weighs a kilo.
Completely flummoxed

Hi

is this the remains of a rusted metal backing plate , ????
test with a magnet to see if it is steel or iron

I have not seen any plastic or foam that woild break down into the item shown in your pic.

Good luck

 

[Molteni]

vermiculite?

 

[pvb]

vermiculite?

It looks like vermiculite. It could have been added in the bilges to provide buoyancy.

 

[sarabande]

Looks like exfoliated phlogopite to me.

 

[oilyrag]

Thanks guys, looks as though it's vermiculite added for insulation or buoyancy. When you think you've seen everything...!

 

[Dan Tribe]

It certainly looks like vermiculite. I wonder if someone was trying it as an oil absorbant?
Not sure if it is absorbant, might be worth a try.

 

[pvb]

I wonder if someone was trying it as an oil absorbant?

There shouldn't be any oil in the bilge of a trailer sailer.

 

[Graham376]

It looks like vermiculite. It could have been added in the bilges to provide buoyancy.

I've heard of it being used as a lightweight filler, also used for filling cavities in construction.

 

[chrishscorp]

Yes looks like vermiculite, I certainly would not use it for bouancy as it will absorb water

 

[graham]

You had better hope it's not Polyestermite droppings!

 

[michael_w]

Early J-24s were known for being filled with vermiculite.

 

[Dan Tribe]

There shouldn't be any oil in the bilge of a trailer sailer.

Good point, I'd missed that!

 

[thinwater]

I've seen vermiculite used as a filler.