crack in the hull

[richard smith]

I have a 1978 hunter 30. I recently had it hauled out for the first time. just a few days after haul out I noticed a crack just below where the keel and hull meet. it was just a few inches then. I asked one of the local workers and he said it wasnt anything to worry about . since then the crack has enlongated to several inches down the port side of the keel. my question is this. is it really not a serious problem and how should I best deal with it. another question. there is a grounding plate under the boat that is not attached to anything. what exactly is the purpose of this and what should be attached to it. thanks

 

[Don Berger]

keel smile

If it's a horizontal crack at the keel joint, it is most commonly referred to as a smile along the hull/keel joint. Check the keel bolts. If they are corroded, it is a problem. If they are in tact, the cause is probably a loose bolt and you'll need to retighten it/them after filling the void.The grounding plate is sometimes used as a lightening ground of questionabe efficacy but more likley was installed as an RF ground for a radio.Don

 

[richard smith]

what would you use to fill the void

also do I need to sand all the bottom paint away to fix thisthanks

 

[Don Berger]

check with the yard

It's not a good idea to suggest fixes without having seen the size and knowing the cause, however, it may be as simple as filling the void with 5200 as completely as possible. There shouldn't be any bottom paint inside the crack but if there is, remove it first. I'd have somebody knowledgeable take a look to confirm.Don

 

[jcherubini]

Is it the lead or the fibreglass?

Sounds to me like a crack in the fibreglass someone put over the keel/hull joint (a no-no). It is highly unlikely the lead is cracked. If it is, the only thing I can think that would have caused it is ice getting in as water down the keel bolts into the lead itself (about as unlikely as I can imagine-- if it'd happened it would've damaged something else a lot faster and more obviously).Start with a disc grinder with about 60 grit and see what comes up beyond what you are just seeing now.I have posted extensively about fixing keel-hull joint problems and if you search the HOW archives maybe you will find some of those.JC 2