Epoxy vs fibreglass- steel swing keel; need zinc ?

[bill]

Several years ago Catalina Direct came out with a fiberglass covered steel swing keel--no more corrosion worries. But when I tried to purchase they suggested that I save money and simply epoxy my old iron keel. I did so. But I did not realize that the pivot mechanism and fitting is below water. So how do you protect that without putting a zinc through the epoxy and into the keel and thus defeat the purpose of the epoxy? I have the same question for the fiberglass covered keel--if you attach a zinc to that you also have potential spaces around the screw for water to come in contact with the metal of the keel. Finally, as an aside, does anyone know if the steel in the keel affects a compass place on the outside of or through the bulkhead between cabin and cockpit?

 

[CHARLIE]

Did the same thing

Bill,I did the same thing last year, refinished the cast iron keel with all the Catalina Direct parts. On my keel though the pivot hole hade been worn out to 1 3/8 in. I had a local machine shop sand blast the whole thing clean and remachine the hole round and weld in a marine stainless grade bushing. I thought about adding the zinc, but for the reasons you gave ,I did not. The keel is 15 years old and never did have a zinc and other than a few dings doesn,t look like it ever needed one. I finished with Extend permatex rust inhibitor, epoxy (Interlux),fairing compound, more epoxy, and bottom paint. It was a lot of work. Also, it doesn't seem to affect the bulkhead mounted compass as it agrees with my hand held GPS headings.