<HTML>
Paul,
<P> When I was chief engineer on the <I>Alexandria,</I>
(Ex-Lindo), a 1929 Baltic trader being used as a "tall ship" by the Alexandria,
Virginia, Seaport Foundation, we had trouble with fresh water rot and used
to salt the decks every couple of weeks. We kept a bin of rock salt handy
all the time. Apparently this is common practice on older wooden boats.
I have heard about it for years. Salt water does much less damage to wood
than fresh. It sure does not restore anything, but if your boat is laid
up, rock salt on the deck might be a good idea.
<BR> Now I do not know what if anything salt would do
to fiberglass or your fittings, but as we (most of us) exist with salt
water anyway, maybe that's not a worry. Anybody else have any ideas on
this?
<BR>
- Gordon White A-275</HTML>