Old mk1 16 keel and interior stuff

[Sailor]

Ok so here it goes....
      I'm trying to refit rather than restore. Budgetary constraints and a rather impatient streak I have won't allow anything else. I love my boat. It's a '78 Hull. Still has factory paint inside and the factory companionway board. I've sailed it two seasons and decided I really like the boat and want to keep it.
     I'm trying to decide how to pursue a few nuisances with the boat.
    First: keel. Mine is fine, it has loose/lost cement but the keel is in tact. No holes no leaks. The middle area between the quarter berths right now is not really user friendly. It has rough and crumbly cement. My tabbing has cracked and there is water in there sometimes. I think I have found the water coming in from a notch cut in the aft hatch in the cockpit I assume to let a fuel line or cable out under the cover. When it rains it runs in there. I'm going to patch the glass there. As far as the cement and keel. I've seen a lot of posts. Question is: what is the consensus on the best material to put over the cement and level out that bottom? Also, when original, did the cement fill the whole area between the "stringers" running fore and aft? Or was it just in the keel area with Hull showing around it?
      Second electric. I would like my battery anchor and Rhode all up front. But I need power in the back. I was thinking of running wire on top of some wood ribs along the inside but up top, close to the flange area. Is there a better way? How do I attach wood to the inside of the Hull?
       Third, I'm looking for a light 2.5-3hp outboard. Integral tank, the manual says short shaft. I have the mount that moves up and down. My question is: all the short shaft motors in that hp range seem to be tiller steer. I'm fine with that but... It looks like when I put the short shaft on the mount and push the mount down the tiller is going to be pretty close to the transom... Does this work?
        And third... Thank you for all the help you have already been. I've read allot already.
s
         

[Sailor]

Water after rain

[Sailor]

Center

[Sailor]

Cement

[geeman]

I'm very interested in the answers that you get to your questions as I am working through a couple of the same issues with my '78 vintage 16 at this time also.
I removed the covering over my keel as one of the first things I did after bringing the boat home - going on three months ago now and still working on it.  What I found was a single layer of fiberglass/resin tabbed on each side to the risers for the bunks and to the mast step forward.  The material below that I think is some sort of concrete grout likely put in to level the top of the pour when the keel was filled (guessing here.)  On mine the grout material was broken in numerous places  and was wet.  I could remove handfuls without tools or problems.  So I removed all the loose stuff with a shop vac and a dust pan. The grout was only about 3/4 inch deep and the material below it seems solid.  I ran a fan on it for a couple of weeks before the dewpoint got so high and the surface is dry to touch.  As to the best material to cover it.  I don't know what I'm going to do yet.  Epoxy poured over it will seal it, but I want to be sure I've got all the water out that I can, so I think in the short run, I'm going to just make a covering of several 1 x 2s cut to length and laid in with a  couple of cross pieces to hold them in place.
I can't comment on electrical or lighting as I haven't gotten that far.  Mine will need to be redone, but It's further down the list.
As for the motor, I bought a Suzuki 2.5 long shaft.  I have yet to mount it, but have figured out that in order for it to be able to tilt when It is raised, I need  to mount a block between the transom and the base of the motor mount  and increase the length of the mounting plate on the mount so that the motor attachment screws are at the height of the top of the transom with the mount up.   Maybe a good used minkota with about 55 lbs thrust isn't a bad way to go?

[Sailor]

I use a 55 pound now. It pushes it around the ramp and gets you around when there's no wind. It's ok. I'm looking to get a gas job for a more robust power plant. I think a 55 thrust is about 1hp ish someone feel free to correct me. I really don't care to motor much but when you need it you need it.

[geeman]

Good to know about the trolling motor.  I've seen several posts where folks are satisfied with the amount of power but suspect I'd want more as well.  To amplify my post above, the block mounted between the transom and the base of the motor mount is to allow room for the tiller on the outboard to extend to it's normal position and still be able to swing through 180 degrees.  On mine, the block thickness is 1 1/2" and I cut it out of a 2 thicknesses of a piece of 1 by oak I got at lowes.  I'll epoxy it and maybe put on a layer of fiberglass before bedding and bolting it to the transom.

[Sailor]

That makes sense. I was afraid it wouldn't really have enough room. I'm surprised the manual says it's designed for a standard shaft motor because of the space issue.
s

[Bramble]

Make sure you know where the water is coming from.  I picked up a '76 c-16 this spring. I had water inside after the first sail, & discovered that there were cracks in the keel fiberglass. I had to have the keel re-glassed.
I'm in the process of running wiring.  In the electrical section of building supply stores like Lowes or Home Depot there are small adhesive backed squares that accept wire ties.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-10-Pack-1-in-Nylon-Cable-Ties/50005764
These work well for a while but the adhesive weakens over time.  Because of this I use epoxy to attach them to the hull.

mike

[Sailor]

Cool,
        I've used the blocks before on other projects but epoxying to the Hull is exactly the clue I was looking for. I might try to integrate some woodwork and wiring that way.
       Water is an issue I have my boat on the trailer in my driveway. When it rains I have water inside. Not tons, but maybe a half gallon all together. I can't figure out where it's coming from. I think I'll have to try the hose trick. No water comes in when I'm sailing, but everytime it rains.
s

[Bramble]

the usual suspects are: hatch/hatchboards, hawse pipe, foredeck vent or hatch, & lazerette hatch (on older boats).  Where do you find the water?
mike

[Sailor]

It's always down along my cement, and in the little front storage area behind the compression post. A little on the quarter berth decks along the downhill edge where it meets the Hull. I'm wondering if it's the deck seam?
s

[Bramble]

That does sound likely. It would be easy to check out with a water hose.  If that's it, you'd pull the rub rail & assess the nature/extent of the leak.  It could be as simple as re-caulking the seams. 
Keep us posted. If it happens to your boat, it's likely gonna happen to someone else's.
mike

[geeman]

"If it happens to your boat, it's likely gonna happen to someone else's. "  Amen to that Mike.  An education in small boat repair.  Ain't it great!

[Sailor]

Well Saturday is here.... Going to try and get an answer. It's supposed to storm this afternoon, so if I have time earlier I'll use the hose... If not I'll sit out the rain inside...
s