Beneteau First 42 Keel/Hull Gap; Normal?

[tekguyonroad]

What's normal?
Is it normal to have a gap between the hull and keel on a 1984 First 42? The vessel in question was just hauled for survey. The surveyor noted a gap at the rear of the keel to hull of approximately 1/4". When he pushed his foot against the bottom of the keel water was observed coming out from along the keel/hull joint. Is this normal? The surveyor noted that at least 3 of the hull stiffeners that are fibreglassed to the hull, under the pre-formed skeletal stiffener, displayed cracks and that when stepped on water could be observed coming out. Is this normal? Additionally, while the vessel was still in the slings, the surveyor re-entered the vessel and noted the gaps under the aforementioned stringers now grew in size indicating the hull was being pulled down away from the stiffeners. Is this normal? If it IS normal, is it safe? Lastly, while pushing the prop-shaft to check the cutlass bearing for wear the entire support moved and water was observed coming from the support/hull joint. Is this normal?
Thanks to all who can voice their opinion and personal experience.
HN, RWC, CA

 

[roughready]

Beneteau smile

The smile is common on all the Beneteau First series. When the boats were raced hard in the 80's there would smile at both in front and back of the keel. It is a easy fix by just filling the gap with chalking. The back edge of the Keel as a little foot that can be ground off (cosmetic) the last keel bolt is about a foot from the back edge.
As far as the cracks between the fore/aft access tubes. When the boat was made the original keel bolts were covered in a 1/8" slurry of epoxy. The joint betweeen the tubes is not structural and is usally filled with a flexibal material. You can tell if the bolts were replaced because they are not covered with slurry. If there was movement in the stringers they would have stress cracks up both sides towards the outside Hull. The hull itself is over a inch thick at that point and the stringers are way overbuilt.
The engine strut is a cast bronze blade that extends about 10" into the hull it is glassed in place. A little movement is normal. This can be shimmed with some bronze stock , chalked and painted.
I used to race on First 42's in the 80's and 90's. Thousands of ocean miles.
I have owned my boat for almost 10 years and feel that it can go anywhere in the world I would want. Not only are the First 42' s a fantastic value they are very well made. More Beneteaus have crossed the Atlantic then any other make of sailboat.
Also don't always take the word of a marine surveyor, talk to other owners, yard managers and workers at boatyards. MC/ RR Seattle, WA

 

[Bluechart]

I have another question on my Beneteau First 42 based in San Francisco.

I have a leak around my rudder tube when under full power, or really moving thur the water.
Apparently, the water is leaning around the rudder tube, not thru the stuffing gland. One other First 42 owner told me to drop the rudder, remove the rudder tube, bed it in 5200, and reseat it.
Has anyone done this?
Steve