crack in wingkeel

[frits.hooft@xs4all.nl]

My boat is a 1993 Hunter 30T. The boat is currently ashore and standing on its wingkeel. I noticed it has a thin crack on the leading edge of the keel. The crack is about 3" below the hull and runs horizontally at port and starboard. At port, the crack is about 12" long, at starboard 8". Should I be worried? I would feel better if I knew the way the keel was contructed. For instance, how deep do the keel bolts go in the wingkeel? The boat is not leaking, I had no problems at all with the keel attachment. Is it a cosmetic issue or something structural??

 

[Doug B]

Here is the scoop

I just discussed this with Hunter Marine in alachua, FL last week. No structural problem should result. The cast iron keel is attached to the hull with keel bolts as you know. The imperfect alignment causes the need for epoxy at the joint. This epoxy can crack with stress over time. The hull nor the keel is at risk but some annoying leaking at the keel bolts inside the bilge can result. Greg at hunter tells me to grind out the crack at the next haul out to about .5" deep. Then fill in in with west systems epoxy paste (add some solids) and then use a strip of glass cloth to help add flexibility for future stress. more epoxy, fair with sand paper, give it a good barier coat (interlux 2000) and paint. Should be good as new.Happy sailing.Doug