Catalina 22 (fixed keel) rust weeping & crazing on the hull. Cosmetic or structural?

[PCLP]

Looking at a Catalina 22 (fixed keel), freshwater, just hauled and on the hard. Photos below of the hull and keel.


I’d love the read of people who know these boats:

1. From what you see, how’s the overall condition of the hull and keel?
2. Anything here that’s a red flag vs. normal wear for a 50-year-old boat?
3. What should I check next before ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Looks like 90% of the older boats in any marina. For a “50 year old boat”, consider yourself lucky.

 

[TOSCO]

The rust on the keel of the Catalina 22 comes from the cast iron keel. It is covered with epoxy which is all cracked, so the water soaks through to the cast iron. When you tap around the rust spots, it might sound hollow which means the epoxy is not adhering to the iron and is hiding more rust. It will only get worse. The fix is to sand/grind off the epoxy (and anti-fouling). After sanding with very course sandpaper on my palmsander, I bought a small sand blaster and blasted all the rust off the bare metal. Then, applied new epoxy to patch the bare metal. Then, applied 2 coats of Interprotect 2000 sealer and then 2 coats of Micron CSC anti-fouling. Materials cost about $1,200. Labor about 2 days. The next year, I had no rust and did not even need to re-coat with anti-fouling.