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摘要

By now we are likely to have had a few frosts with harder ones to come so something for owners of older boats to think about. Certain parts of the hull that cannot be blacked or even painted: inside the rudder tube and inside cruiser stern drain tubes that exit through the uxter plate. Over the years they will rust on the inside and weaken and even perhaps weep a bit until a hard frost causes them to split. Most boats' rudder tubes go through the fuel tank so if that splits the boat won't sink but may trail a rainbow on the water or fill the fuel system with water. Some boats have the fuel tank elsewhere, so if you own an older boat make sure you know if you have such drain tubes or an exposed rudder tube and if you do, inspect it regularly for signs of damp leaking through. Carry some self amalgamating tape so if the worst happens you can effect a temporary repair. It is also good for doing a temporary repair to leaking hoses and pipes.