Advice on repairing a "smile" in our keel

[H45DS]

When we did our annual haul-out to check the bottom, touch up bottom paint, and replace the zincs, the boatyard pointed out something in our keel they called a "smile", which is a slightly curved rust line that (I assume) results from stress over time. Our "smile" was approximately 2" long and is on the trailing edge of the keel just below the keel/hull joint line.

I would appreciate any advice on how to best address this type of issue. I'm guessing this is not an uncommon problem, so I'm hopeful that there may be a relatively easy way of addressing the issue in-place rather than dropping the keel and having to worry about rebedding the joint.

<edit> I should have noted that our bilge is "bone dry", so there is no water leaking around/through the keel bolts at this time.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

If it was me, the term "watchful waiting" would seem the best approach

 

[shemandr]

It is probably a crack in the fairing over the joint between the keel and the hull stub that the keel attaches to. If you look closely this joint is probably several inches down from the hull bottom. The keel is likely attached via keel bolts (See recent thread on the strength of that) and an adhesive such as 3M 5200 - which is a very strong adhesive. After those attachments, some version of a fairing compound is applied to make the whole area smooth for a variety of reasons. Usually the fairing is less flexible then the hull to keel joint and it cracks. This has no structural significance and can be repaired, it desired, by grinding the fairing down and redoing it. A several "boat unit" job but not a tens of boat units job. The crack does not mean you will have leaking - the bolts and adhesive will prevent that.
I only know this because I've hit a rock and had to have repairs to my boat bottom/keel support and had to manage the insurance claim. Don't let the yard jerk you around on this. Get a surveyor if necessary - for $600 you may save $10,000.

 

[fdr14127]

Not unusual if you own a C&C boat. We cleaned it out and faired in Marine Bondo and have not had a reoccurance in several years. We also used it to estimate where to bore a hole for a garboard plug, which keeps her bilge dry and sweet over the winter. Now wet bilge over the winter will cause the stringers to rot on a C&C29, which results in the mast step dropping into the bilge. That will cause you to replace the stringers and install a lovely teak and holley cabin sole...not the cheapest upgrade on the list.

 

[H45DS]

It is probably a crack in the fairing over the joint between the keel and the hull stub that the keel attaches to. If you look closely this joint is probably several inches down from the hull bottom. The keel is likely attached via keel bolts (See recent thread on the strength of that) and an adhesive such as 3M 5200 - which is a very strong adhesive. After those attachments, some version of a fairing compound is applied to make the whole area smooth for a variety of reasons. Usually the fairing is less flexible then the hull to keel joint and it cracks. This has no structural significance and can be repaired, it desired, by grinding the fairing down and redoing it. A several "boat unit" job but not a tens of boat units job. The crack does not mean you will have leaking - the bolts and adhesive will prevent that.
I only know this because I've hit a rock and had to have repairs to my boat bottom/keel support and had to manage the insurance claim. Don't let the yard jerk you around on this. Get a surveyor if necessary - for $600 you may save $10,000.

Good advice - much appreciated!!

 

[harv]

Shemandr is correct about your problem.
The crack in the aft part of the keel above the fiberglas/keel line is usually caused by a weak area in the fiberglass during layup. Sometimes there is a void in the glass area.
A crack at the fiberglass /keel line is usually caused by improper blocking.

With the crack below the fiberglas/keel line, your case will still be open for a few years.
Put a ruler next to it and take some pictures. Refinish it, put a different color paint on it, and wait until next year and see if it gets worse.
It would help if you could be at the launch and see what happens when the boat is in the slings. (Or slip a few bucks to the travel lift operator).