10.3 keel removal

B

Big John

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Dec 12, 2013
2
S2 10.3 Niantic
I have had the misfortune of hitting a rock this year. It resulted in a small smile at the hull keel joint. I am going to remove the keel to inspect the keel bolts and dry any water that may have gotten in there. Stagnant water will corrode the stainless bolts.
The 9.1s and 10.3s had their keels bolted on. Does anyone know, were they also glued? And if they were, how do I remove it to release the keel.

Thanks!
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Sorry about the lack of responses. Most S2's had integral keels and we don't get many racers on here. Most of the S2's with bolt ons were 9.1's and 10.3's. I'd suggest posting on Ask All Sailors to find out how to separate. You might have luck sending an email to Tiara if you really want to know if they were glued before you try it. However, I really suggest you reconsider separating the keel from the boat if you don't have a serious issue. From what I have seen, that would be a serious case of "smile" where it is obvious that any plywood core below the keel bolts is mush. You may be able to use a moisture meter to your advantage from inside the boat, but I never heard of anyone trying one.
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
This is a common problem on Catalina 30's so I suggest searching and reading their posts.

http://clewedin.com/article/catalina-30-restoration-floor-keel-bolts

As you can see, this guy didn't even remove his keel. He fixed it in place. I don't know if that is a good option though.

Also, I believe there were many more 9.1's made. Presumably construction is the same so you may find more looking for 9.1 info.

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=132727

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-...lge-more-than-just-nuisance-4.html#post673308
 
B

Big John

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Dec 12, 2013
2
S2 10.3 Niantic
Bob, Thanks for the info. After reading those links you gave me I am definitely pulling the keel. Apparently the bolts can corrode very quickly when they are sitting in water. They have to be kept dry and then sealed from any water. I do have some rust staining at the crack so that is telling me I have some corrosion. I think by not doing the repair the consequences are to dire.
 
sailcruiser

sailcruiser

.
Sep 6, 2011
435
Big John said:
Bob, Thanks for the info. After reading those links you gave me I am definitely pulling the keel. Apparently the bolts can corrode very quickly when they are sitting in water. They have to be kept dry and then sealed from any water. I do have some rust staining at the crack so that is telling me I have some corrosion. I think by not doing the repair the consequences are to dire.
Click to expand
I wish I had advice but I don't. I guess what I'm trying to puzzle through is how the boat sits on the hard without a keel to rest on. Is the keel dropped then some sort of blocking put in its place?

On the smile aspect my neighbor takes what I think is fairing compound to his couple year old Hunter for this reason. That doesn't seem to be a big deal. The possibility of losing your keel is scary and possibly catastrophic if it happened so I would probably do the same in your shoes.

Good luck and take some pics and let us know how it goes.
SC
 
BobM

BobM

.
Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Blocking

sailcruiser said:
I wish I had advice but I don't. I guess what I'm trying to puzzle through is how the boat sits on the hard without a keel to rest on. Is the keel dropped then some sort of blocking put in its place?


SC
Click to expand
Powerboats don't have keels and they obviously sit on the hard all the time. I'd probably take the time to mark my bulkhead locations on the outside of the boat with tape so the yard can easily block the boat where there is the most structure.

Some more info on keel bolts.

http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/-10818-1.html
 
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