Friend's boat went aground and layed on the stbd side. When we hauled the boat I put my foot on the keel wing and pushed, the keels started swinging side to side, deflecting up to about 8" off the centerline. When I stopped it kept swinging for a couple seconds. Obviously there is major damage at the turn of the keel. Upon inspection I see cracks on either side of the flange where the keel is is bolted on. Can I drop the keel and start making repairs on to the grid system? Glass from side to side and up onto the structural grid? Then I will redrill the keel bolts and maybe grind away the turn on the outside and put in new laminates where there may be possible delamination? What about the areas under the grid system between athwartship members that I cannot access? Is this boat totalled?
'89 33.5 Ballast keel HORROR
- Thread starter mlacasse1
- Start date
I would speak with the insurance first, as this could total the boat...
if no insurance, then you need to be well aware of structural repairs and that may involve a surveyor. Will be some $$ as well to be done correctly to ensure safety down the road.
All that aside, you can drop the keel, check it's integrity as well as the keel studs/bolts for plumb and quality of their attachment to the keel. Then get to work on the sub structure. That will require considerable removal of furniture, tabs to bulkheads and such, and some tools for layup to match the schedule you discover.
Be sure to check motor mounts/strut/shaft as they can sustain damage and movement with sharp groundings.
This repair is not a quick and dirty (or shouldn't be) and should be done correctly. Not a rookie DIY repair
best of luck
if no insurance, then you need to be well aware of structural repairs and that may involve a surveyor. Will be some $$ as well to be done correctly to ensure safety down the road.
All that aside, you can drop the keel, check it's integrity as well as the keel studs/bolts for plumb and quality of their attachment to the keel. Then get to work on the sub structure. That will require considerable removal of furniture, tabs to bulkheads and such, and some tools for layup to match the schedule you discover.
Be sure to check motor mounts/strut/shaft as they can sustain damage and movement with sharp groundings.
This repair is not a quick and dirty (or shouldn't be) and should be done correctly. Not a rookie DIY repair
best of luck
How is the liner bonded to the inner skin of the hull in these older boats? Hull and deck putty? If I cut out a substantial portion of the liner so I can repair it on a bench and put eyes on the hull at the keel will it be a waste of time because I wont be able to remove it? Is there any real resources out there for construction information on these boats?