Crack in paint along trailing edge of keel

[skunther]

I noticed a crack along the trailing 6 to 7 inches of my keel, around where the seam is for the keel bolts. I pulled off some flaking bits of ~1.5mm thickness to expose lead on the Port side. The starboard side flake was thicker, around 3mm under which no lead was exposed. I got the opinion of a fiberglass technician in the yard who seemed to think that it was not an issue to be concerned about, and that I should fair it, sand the exposed lead, epoxy it and then do my bottom paint.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[dlochner]

A common problem with bolt on keels. Not a serious problem. Clean it up, fair it, paint and go sailing.

 

[Terry Cox]

Any thoughts on this?

Uncommon problem under normal operating conditions. It appears from your pics that some force caused the keel stub seal to break. If it were my boat I would have a marine surveyor check it out before making any kind of temporary patch work/repairs. Our keel stub seal broke after hitting a rock in 2004. Once repaired that seal has remained solid ever since.

 

[capta]

It appears dry, but that really doesn't mean much, as water could have been sucked way into the laminations. I wouldn't attempt any repairs before running a moisture meter over the keel and check. If it is dry then it is an easy glass repair, if not.... well lets hope not.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

That is where the lead keel bolts on to the fiberglass hull and so minute movement could have cracked the fairing compound used to cover up the crack. It is not serious and cosmetic. The fairing compound is not very strong in itself. If you really wanted to make the crack go away then fiberglass the entire length of the surface crack with fiberglass tape and resin and then fair smooth with a compound. (Use the proper preparation to do so, of course) More work, not necessary for hull degradation (which doesn't exist) and the carp don't care.