crack in keel to hull joint

[Jclarkpaco]

I have noticed a crack in my keel to hull joint (1983 Catalina 25). I have had different feedback from local sailboat experts ranging from simply patch and go to major concern of the intergity of the joint. I plan on sealing with 5200 sealant for this season and a fiberglass repair next winter.keel bolts are tight.Does anyone have any information or suggestions on this problem?

 

[Don]

C25 Info

Jclarkpaco,It sounds like you have the infamous "Catalina Smile", the small crack that sometimes develops at the leading edge of the keel at the keel stub. If so, this subject, as well as the fix, has been covered extensively on the forum at the C25 International Association website. If you haven't been to this site yet, I suggest you go over and take a look. It is an unbelievable resource for both the C25 and sailing in general. Here's a recent discussion on the keel crack topic.http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14714Click on the Related Link below to take you to the C25 International Association.

 

[Orion17194]

Don't worry

As long as there is no water intrusion and you bolts aren't rusty, then there really is no concern. Other boats with a bolt-on keel also suffer form this same crack. You can try to seal it with 3M 5200. But I have heard that even this can work loose after a season due to the movement of the keel underway.

 

[Don]

Me again

Although the following link is the factory repair drawing for a C27, it still applies to the C25. http://www.blumhorst.com/catalina27/images/keel_factory_drawings/keel_crack_repair._from_catalina.gifDon't forget to wander over to the C25 International Association and look around.