I have a 40.5 that had a hard grounding before I purchased her(you don't think I would admit to this,do you?). The wing on the keel has a dent that goes back 1/2 inch or so. The wing is also bent up. Any suggestions/experience on a fix."Emmanuel" is currently on the hard. I will add a related link with a pic. After it opens click on "Pictures", then click on "Survey"
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A Golden Opportinuty *! *!
The dent in the wing is a repairable fix. The big problem is the bent wing. Under no circumstances can you bend it back. This will only serve to fracture the lead more than already has happened. The only choice you have is to leave it alone(the bend) or replace the keel. I was faced with this exact problem after a late season storm that broke my boat from her mooring and grounded her bending a wing in the process. It turned out to be a blessing. We put a custom designed fin on the boat and completely changed the sailing character of her. A dramatic improvement. In retrospect, I'm very glad that it happened.
The dent in the wing is a repairable fix. The big problem is the bent wing. Under no circumstances can you bend it back. This will only serve to fracture the lead more than already has happened. The only choice you have is to leave it alone(the bend) or replace the keel. I was faced with this exact problem after a late season storm that broke my boat from her mooring and grounded her bending a wing in the process. It turned out to be a blessing. We put a custom designed fin on the boat and completely changed the sailing character of her. A dramatic improvement. In retrospect, I'm very glad that it happened.
Tell me more
Alan tell me more , how did you do it, how does it effect your sailing, do you have a pic.
Alan tell me more , how did you do it, how does it effect your sailing, do you have a pic.
You can fix this
It takes time. You must do this job very gradually. If you rush it, you will break it or weaken it. I used a propane torch to heat the area a little at a time and hammered it back into shape. DO NOT BREATHE THE FUMES. I used a fan and prevailing wind to blow the smoke away from me. I got a propane torch with a trigger/valve and an adapter hose to allow me to use it with a large barbeque propane tank. All of this is available at Home Depot.
It takes time. You must do this job very gradually. If you rush it, you will break it or weaken it. I used a propane torch to heat the area a little at a time and hammered it back into shape. DO NOT BREATHE THE FUMES. I used a fan and prevailing wind to blow the smoke away from me. I got a propane torch with a trigger/valve and an adapter hose to allow me to use it with a large barbeque propane tank. All of this is available at Home Depot.
Or
one of those handheld flame makers. They are used for starting larger fires like slash burns. Harbor Freight has them. No adapter needed. You can brace it up and stand clear of the work to avoid fumes but don't go away, it'll melt your keel. But if you don't have skinny water this is your chance! Do like Alan said. Or cut off both winglets. I'll bet the only difference you will notice is that a grounding is less severe.
one of those handheld flame makers. They are used for starting larger fires like slash burns. Harbor Freight has them. No adapter needed. You can brace it up and stand clear of the work to avoid fumes but don't go away, it'll melt your keel. But if you don't have skinny water this is your chance! Do like Alan said. Or cut off both winglets. I'll bet the only difference you will notice is that a grounding is less severe.
John, the dent is an easy fix. Build a dam out of ...
sheet metal (roof flashing from Home Depot). Leave a small opening in the top where you can pour in molten lead. Use wooden blocks to hold the dam in place. Purchase a small used cast iron skillet from your local thrift store and line it with tin foil. A small propane stove gets hot enough to melt the lead. Pick up a bag of small lead pellets (six or seven shot) from your local gun shop. Drill a few small shallow holes in the dent where you intend to pour the molten lead. This will help hold the patch in place. Use a wire brush to clean the dent. Pour small amounts of molten lead into the dam until it overflows. Let cool, remove dam and fair with a disk sander until smooth then two coats of hard bottom paint. Terry P.S. If the wing itself is bent I would leave it alone unless severe. If so, give it to a pro to fix.
sheet metal (roof flashing from Home Depot). Leave a small opening in the top where you can pour in molten lead. Use wooden blocks to hold the dam in place. Purchase a small used cast iron skillet from your local thrift store and line it with tin foil. A small propane stove gets hot enough to melt the lead. Pick up a bag of small lead pellets (six or seven shot) from your local gun shop. Drill a few small shallow holes in the dent where you intend to pour the molten lead. This will help hold the patch in place. Use a wire brush to clean the dent. Pour small amounts of molten lead into the dam until it overflows. Let cool, remove dam and fair with a disk sander until smooth then two coats of hard bottom paint. Terry P.S. If the wing itself is bent I would leave it alone unless severe. If so, give it to a pro to fix.
Trying to post pics!!
...of my new keel. Regarding bending the wing back again, if you dont get the lead to molten state you will, for sure, weaken the wing by creating more internal fracturing. I went through this whole process with experts, and they assured me the only fix is a new keel. And what the hell, the boat sails better than any Hunter alive, bar Hunters Child.
...of my new keel. Regarding bending the wing back again, if you dont get the lead to molten state you will, for sure, weaken the wing by creating more internal fracturing. I went through this whole process with experts, and they assured me the only fix is a new keel. And what the hell, the boat sails better than any Hunter alive, bar Hunters Child.
what I did
I have a Legend 37 and the port side wing got bent up a good bit, hard to tell from your photo if mine was more or less. I did not have the indentation at the leading edge that you have. We used a large lead hammer to straighten out the wing. Has wored so far, only a few months ago. Not sure I would worry about all the fancy fixes, worst case a few pounds of balast falls off and you either replace the keel or fix it.
I have a Legend 37 and the port side wing got bent up a good bit, hard to tell from your photo if mine was more or less. I did not have the indentation at the leading edge that you have. We used a large lead hammer to straighten out the wing. Has wored so far, only a few months ago. Not sure I would worry about all the fancy fixes, worst case a few pounds of balast falls off and you either replace the keel or fix it.
Thanks for all of the Great input
Thanks for all of the input, You all have given me some great ideas to think about. Right now I am leaning on just cutting off the wings. Does it really make the boat go faster?
Thanks for all of the input, You all have given me some great ideas to think about. Right now I am leaning on just cutting off the wings. Does it really make the boat go faster?
Leave it
I don't think it looks that bad,I think you should just leave it just the way it is,I don't see it making a big difference. If you cut the wings off it will be worst for heeling, shoal draft boats are known to heeling more so if you take away some ballast it will heel more. Give it a shot and use this season and I'll bet you won't even notice it once its in the water and your boat will sail fine,you can always change it at a later date,once you cut the wings that's it,good luck and have fun sailing. I know someone who bent a wing on a 310 hunter and its fine he never tried repairing and he says it sails the same. nick
I don't think it looks that bad,I think you should just leave it just the way it is,I don't see it making a big difference. If you cut the wings off it will be worst for heeling, shoal draft boats are known to heeling more so if you take away some ballast it will heel more. Give it a shot and use this season and I'll bet you won't even notice it once its in the water and your boat will sail fine,you can always change it at a later date,once you cut the wings that's it,good luck and have fun sailing. I know someone who bent a wing on a 310 hunter and its fine he never tried repairing and he says it sails the same. nick
John, Before You Do That...
...you may want to explore options with a local yard. My concern would be resale value and sailing performance. You spent a lot for this boat and the value can be maintained or depreciated predicated on what you do and how its done. There is a reason for the wings; designers spent lots of time evaluating and testing. You may not remember the extensive ad campaign Hunter initiated explaining their design and testing of the keels as a means to restore some of the pointing of the boats in shoal configuration. In other words, it was more than a fashion statement and you may be impacting performance. If you got a sufficient damage allowance, I would definitely consider replacement as Alan suggests or consult with a competent yard about the wing. The dent should be an easy do-it-yourself job, but may also be relatively cheap by the yard as well. Just my thoughts, Rick D.
...you may want to explore options with a local yard. My concern would be resale value and sailing performance. You spent a lot for this boat and the value can be maintained or depreciated predicated on what you do and how its done. There is a reason for the wings; designers spent lots of time evaluating and testing. You may not remember the extensive ad campaign Hunter initiated explaining their design and testing of the keels as a means to restore some of the pointing of the boats in shoal configuration. In other words, it was more than a fashion statement and you may be impacting performance. If you got a sufficient damage allowance, I would definitely consider replacement as Alan suggests or consult with a competent yard about the wing. The dent should be an easy do-it-yourself job, but may also be relatively cheap by the yard as well. Just my thoughts, Rick D.
Been There, Done That
I experienced similar damage on a grounding some years ago with my old Hunter 25 (hope the buyer isn't reading this). I simply used a three pound hammer (no heat) to gradually reshape to the original contour. To make up for the lead left on the ledge off Kittery Point Maine I used West epoxy to fill and flair. After final filing, sanding and paint the repair was sound and undetectable.
I experienced similar damage on a grounding some years ago with my old Hunter 25 (hope the buyer isn't reading this). I simply used a three pound hammer (no heat) to gradually reshape to the original contour. To make up for the lead left on the ledge off Kittery Point Maine I used West epoxy to fill and flair. After final filing, sanding and paint the repair was sound and undetectable.
Someone said "Saw it off"?
Geesh... I think it's Totalled. Call your insurance company right now! orrrr.... USE a BFH (Big Freakin Hammer) and tap it back or file it off. If you want to hide the totalled, wiped out dicked-up keel buy some Bondo and fill it in. Smear some bottom paint on it and wear army boots. Problem solved! Yea, I like the Chain saw idea too. Mike
Geesh... I think it's Totalled. Call your insurance company right now! orrrr.... USE a BFH (Big Freakin Hammer) and tap it back or file it off. If you want to hide the totalled, wiped out dicked-up keel buy some Bondo and fill it in. Smear some bottom paint on it and wear army boots. Problem solved! Yea, I like the Chain saw idea too. Mike
fix it or have it fixed
This is not rocket science. if you cut it off you are going to ruin the boat, its handling and its value. all that weight down there has a function. it keeps the darn thing standing up. If its bent then it pushes the boat up or down. yes it does make the boat sail better if it is not draging like a bucket over the stern. just bend it back or have it bent back. thats the long and short of it. a 40 foot boat with half a keel? i cant stand it!
This is not rocket science. if you cut it off you are going to ruin the boat, its handling and its value. all that weight down there has a function. it keeps the darn thing standing up. If its bent then it pushes the boat up or down. yes it does make the boat sail better if it is not draging like a bucket over the stern. just bend it back or have it bent back. thats the long and short of it. a 40 foot boat with half a keel? i cant stand it!
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