Columbia 30-keel attachment

[Rick Williams]

Hi Folks,A friend and I are looking at a 1973 Columbia 30 to buy but have a question about a visible crack around the foward edge of the keel. Actually the keel appears to be mounted to the hull by a plate which is showing the crack that measures approx. 12"x12"x12" around the foward edge of the shoal draft keel. We have been told that this probably is not a problem, that it occurs a lot on other boats when they are stored resting on the keel, although what we saw with these was a crack further down the keel(foward edge), supposedly between the lead ballast and the fiberglass portions.Does anyone have any insight on this. Also, does anyone have any specific diagrams of the constuction and attachment of the keel/hull at this point, so that we might decide for ourselves.Thanks so much,Rick Williams

 

[Marshall Ellington]

Cracks on keel

Hey Rick, I have a C-34 and I have the same situation around the TRAILING end of the keel. Don't know what your keel is made of but mine is solid iron. At any rate, I'm going to grind out the "crack" which really is the seam of where it attaches to the hull and fill it with epoxy. I may fiberglass over the repair as well just to be sure. This will be my first step, as I'm also going to grind the whole keel down and fiberglass it, since it continues to rust even after painting. I was also told the crack was "no big deal" but I have visions of water seeping in there and seriously ruining my day LOL. I'm also going to sink new keel bolts next to the existing ones and epoxy them in as well. One less thing to worry about on the water, hmm?