The Ballad Exchange

Hello,

Im refitting a ballad and was wondering if there are any dangerous materials used in the 1974 ballad. I mean materials like asbest insulations perhaps?

Does anyone know about this?

Not that is usually accessible. Lead in the keel, but that is sealed in. Other that that, nothing I've come across. Depends of what you are doing, usual dust precautions should be taken ( disintegrating foam from the headlining is horible!

Any residual chemicals from the urethane foam core (possibly isocyanates?) or tthe plywood (small traces of formaldehyde) should have outgassed years ago. Our engine compartment was lined with fiberglass rather than asbestos. I'd say the biggest environmental danger on the Ballad is the same as any other boat: mold or mildew spores, carbon monoxide, and accumulating LP gas. If you or a faminly member are sensitive to chemicals or allergens, I'd suggest a thorough cleaning of all the lockers & inner hull with a safe disinfectant, a decent CO alarm, and a sniffer if the boat has gas for cooking.