Bottom of wing keel on H23

[RobertG-NJ]

This forum is great and I have read many helpful comments on the H23, among the tops being mast raising, water leaks, trailering and keel maintenance.

I bought a H23 '88 in Sept 08 and have been repairing it all this year. It is a great boat. The boat was in generally good condition but the bottom had been neglected an the paint was beyond a simple scrape and paint (I stripped to gelcoat, epoxied, barrier coated, then ablative antifouling) and the keel was badly corroded. I chisled and ground to clean bare metal. Considering repair book, WM and forum post advice, after grinding to clean metal, I used Rustlok, then a thin west epoxy coat, then faired with West epoxy with 407 fairing compound, followed by barriercoat & antifouling.

My real question is for suggestions on how to get to finish the flat bottom of the keel that is sitting on the trailer. I have read posts how 60% or more of the weight is supported by the keel. Is it OK to have the 800# keel temporarily unsupported and for how long? Has anyone one had or asked their Marina to put it on blocks, a sling or a forklift without blocking the keel? Which method is preferable? Has anyone done this? I dont want to try doing any type of jacking the trailer bit myself (not brave or foolish enough) especially as my drive is inclined.

I did successfully and easily paint under the bunks on the trailer on my drive by using just two power boat stands (from WM) just outboard of the bunk ends, one side at a time, and recomend it and the only downside is spending $300 for 2 stands unless you can borrow some, but I felt alot safer than having jury rigged supports.

Thanks
RobertG

 

[Jim Kolstoe]

Robert, you need to keep in mind that when your boat is in the water, or if you use a boat lift to launch, the keel is "unsupported," except for where its attached to the hull. The 60% of weight refers to how the load is distributed on the trailer bunks and keel support for normal use. The bunks are capable of supporting the entire load while you work on the keel. I just would not pull the trailer that way. Several years ago loading at Trapper Creek boat ramp at Odell Lake, an extremely steep ramp, my boat drifted sideways and ended up perched with the keel on one bunk as I pulled the boat and trailer out. Needless to say, I backed it right back in as soon as I saw what had happened. But, there was no harm to anything but my nerves. And yes, I have had my boat launched with a crane using a sling.
You'll be fine.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo

 

[RobertG-NJ]

Thanks Jim

I am less nervous now about this. Have you or anyone else done repair/refinishing work on the keel bottom and how did you jack it up. What are the safest ways and it it feasible to do it on the trailer? I am reconsidering it.

 

[Mark Major]

With great effort I raised my bunks and removed the bed of my trailer so I could apply an aluminum-oxide epoxy to the keel after ideal preparation. This coating is what they use on the bull-nose of freighters and has an extreme service life...if you don't run-aground. Needless to say, I voided any warranty with my shoal-draft sailboat because I sail the shoals, and run aground. To make a long story short, I ended up removing that and now use Rustoleum, and don't bother with the bottom.

Time obsessing over and ablating rust on the bottom of my keel only subtracts from my sailing. Whatever I have done there has been scraped off when running aground or traveling on the trailer. I don't worry about that anymore, because the way I figure there is no way that keel will dissolve in my lifetime. Don't bother with the time and expense on this.