Any Keel Rebedding Tips?

[Bill Boyke]

I will be dropping and rebedding the keel on my 1975 Hunter 30 keel/centerboarder. I intend to remove the fasteners, lift the boat up an inch using the travellift and separating the keel with wedges, chisels and putty knives. Then opening up the gap to 4 inches max and finally rebedding the joint with 5200 expecially around the bolts.Is there any gotchas I must look out for reguarding the centerboard or the rebedding process in general? I intend to clean the joint to the best of my ability, perferably to bare metal and clean fiberglass.I am expecting about a 3-4 hour job, mostly in the cleaning of the joint.Thanks, Bill

 

[Merrill Mant]

Don't do it!!!

I thought about doing the same thing with our 33.5 and after discussing the task with the staff at Hunter, they convinced me that I would be making a huge mistake. I followed their recommendations and am very pleased with the results. Glass over the seam between the keel and the hull. This will prevent all water infiltration if in fact that is your situation. Feel free to e-mail directly for more info.

 

[Randy Williams]

Seeping keel

Would be interested in anyone expariencing / fixing a small seep around the keel bolts - just enought to keep things wet down there.88Hunter30Also, my nuts holding the bow pupit down are RUSTING ???? Sending ugly rust streaks down the sides of the hull below them - anyone had a simular experience - whats the fix besides removing and replacing the studs at the bottom of the pupit?Randy WilliamsKemah Texas.

 

[bill walton]

keel leak

I just posted to another message on this subject. Last year after talking with Hunter, we dis basically as described here on our 42. We had the yard drop the keel, clean out the original hard bedding material, rebed with 5200 and the surround the entire stub and upper keel with several layers of mat and fairing.