Floatation

[Tim Diebert]

....come to think on it...I think he did say something about depleted uranium.

This is a very clever guy my Master machinist buddy...he scratch builds 50 caliber elephant guns...so maybe that is what he uses the Uranium for....the head of the bullet thing.

Can't see why...he has 1/2 plate steel targets all over his yard with HUGE ragged holes in them

Thanks for all the info Ray. I will come up with a plan....eventually.

[MikeStevenson]

Odd as it sounds, a family member of mine who is a designer of much larger and far more expensive boats than we do and who really knows his stuff considered using depleted uranium for the keel of his 40 footer. He had a good source of the metal but decided to go with plain lead (because of cost mostly).

Everyone knows the keels of our boats are not designed to carry the weight of added ballast, right?

Mike

[Tim Diebert]

Everyone knows the keels of our boats are not designed to carry the weight of added ballast, right?

Yup

[Guest EdWoerle]

We use depleted uranium for balance weights on the control surfaces of big airplanes (DC10, 747, etc.) It is considered hazardous material for purposes of working on, and yes, it IS heavier than death itself. I personally wouldn't allow it near any boat I worked/played on. Like anything we come in contact with while working on our projects, READ, RESEARCH and heed the warnings. The only time it's fun to glow in the dark is Hallow'een.

Ed from Memphis

[Tim Diebert]

Hell, it took me a month to find someone with enough lead to do this job....

let alone Uranium.

I had planned on through bolting most of the keel (including the ballast) with a substantial hardwood keelson.

I like your plan Ray. Sounds good.

Personally I avoid Epoxy/Polyester/cloth whenever possible. I spent years working with and around the stuff. :shock: