Need Advice on Peeling Keel

hoopcoach

hoopcoach

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Jul 11, 2016
4
Catalina 30 Detroit
While attempting to chip away what I thought was some loose VC-17 from the front-side of the keel on my recently purchased sailboat Catalina 30 I got more than I bargained for. A long strip of material peeled off (approximately 6" wide by 36" long) . At the top side of this material the thickness is about a sixteenth of an inch thick - too thick to be paint. At the bottom the coating tapers down a fraction of that. The material is gray in color and has a rubbery feeling to it.

Any idea what the material might be? And more importantly and suggestions on repairing the gash in the images?
 
agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
Could we see a picture? It could be Interprotect epoxy. However, PO's can do some kooky s$&t!!!
What do you mean by "front side?" Maybe the leading edge of the keel?
It could be that you need to grind it out to solidly-adhered material and re-epoxy the exposed area. Then repaint it.
 
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rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,925
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
There is a product called keep guard
What you described sounds like that.

You see it often on the bows of canoes as well as on keels of boats. Do a search on amazon or google it and see if the photo looks like what you just described
 
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C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
I think that looks a lot like a filler substance to blend and flow hull to keel. I call the putty fiberglass mix "Bondo" or body filler/putty that is used for this purpose. In this case I suspect, if I am right, the below surface is not roughed up and it did not bond properly to a smooth surface.
Gunni: What do you think?
Chief
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
14,000
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
I'm not Gunni, however, I agree with Chief. It appears to be a poorly done fairing job.

The fairing compound looks too thick. With any movement in the hull-keel joint the fairing compound will crack. If it is a polyester fairing compound, it will also shrink slightly over time and that could contribute to cracking.

The first thing to do is get the crap off the keel so you can see the joint.

While the boat is on the hard you may want to torque the keel bolts.
 
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KD3PC

KD3PC

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Sep 25, 2008
1,069
boatless rainbow Callao, VA
the pinkish color certainly looks like Bondo, auto body filler...and it might look good for a month or two...not for boats.

Remove it all, and see what you have....a few pics of that "after" might help.
 
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D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
14,000
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
hoopcoach said:
While attempting to chip away what I thought was some loose VC-17 from the front-side of the keel on my recently purchased sailboat Catalina 30
Click to expand
VC-17 does not chip away like conventional bottom paints. Nor does it sand away like conventional bottom paints. VC-17 essentially applies a coat of pure copper over the bottom. It is held in place by a teflon based substance. In some areas it will wear away pretty quickly, the leading edge of the keel and rudder. In other places it will just build up. Each layer of VC-17 bonds with the next layer.

Eventually a thick coating of copper is developed, almost like a copper plating, but it won't chip off. Solvents tend to smear it around. Paint removers don't do much either. It must be mechanically removed, i.e., by sanding. In areas where the paint is thin, it comes off pretty easily with sandpaper, in those areas where it has built up, not so much.
 
C

Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
dlochner and KD3CP: Thanks, as that was my appeal to Gunni as I was looking for an evaluation of my technical comments. I think we have helped with this. My best, Chief
 
dscribner

dscribner

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Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
It looks like fairing compound: similar to Bondo but made for marine applications. There are a few products out there with different costs. I just used Quik-Fair and was happy with it. From what I hear, Bondo is red because of clay in the mix. The clay will absorb water and degrade your repair rather quickly.
 
agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
dlochner said:
VC-17 does not chip away like conventional bottom paints. Nor does it sand away like conventional bottom paints. VC-17 essentially applies a coat of pure copper over the bottom. It is held in place by a teflon based substance. In some areas it will wear away pretty quickly, the leading edge of the keel and rudder. In other places it will just build up. Each layer of VC-17 bonds with the next layer.

Eventually a thick coating of copper is developed, almost like a copper plating, but it won't chip off. Solvents tend to smear it around. Paint removers don't do much either. It must be mechanically removed, i.e., by sanding. In areas where the paint is thin, it comes off pretty easily with sandpaper, in those areas where it has built up, not so much.
Click to expand
Powerwashing removes VC17m really well!
 
agprice22

agprice22

.
Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
IMG_0402.JPG
Also, 3m marine filler is pink! Total Boat is dark green. Awlfair is dark red.
 
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