302 keel construction

[cah]

how is the 302 keel made. Is it cast iron? Lead? what is best way to protect it?

 

[dmax]

Lead. A barrier coat with bottom paint on top will protect it. You should also be aware that some 302's (generally the later ones produced) have insufficient strength in the keel stub which can result in the keel separating from the boat (the keel on my 1988 302 broke off after a soft grounding and a receding tide). Search the forum, there are a bunch of threads on this.