Yes, I've read a couple of stories about this. I'm having a full survey done so I'll definitely look closely at this.You should read this post.
O'Day 302 Loses Keel - Check Yours!!
This is an alarming situation. I came across this on another forum and wanted to share it here to prevent any more potentially life threatening situations. The following is a direct quote from John/US27inKS, the guy who posted this. He is allowing me to use these photos in an attempt help...forums.sailboatowners.com
I think we’ve discussed the relative value of keel bolts and adhesive before, so I won’t rehash that. But on the 302/322 the primary issue is not failure of the bolts, but failure of the laminate holding the bolts. If the laminate fails, then no amount of glue holding the laminate to the keel will help.The condition of the 3M 5200 adhesive bond at the hull and keel joint is at least as important as the thickness of the stub. If the adhesive is in good shape it is strong enough to support the weight of the keel even absent keel bolts.
The laminate doesn't "hold" the bolts. The laminate supports the weight of the keel transferred to the surface area underneath the small square stainless backing plates. But if that laminate underneath the backing plates fails, the adhesive has already failed, and failed first. The adhesive, as I've pointed out before, spreads the weight of the keel over the entire bottom surface area of the sump, rather than just concentrating the load under the small backing plates. That's why R. L. Hunt, the naval architect who designed the 322, made a point of specifying the adhesive in the drawings--rather than the number, size, and size of the bolts and backing plates.I think we’ve discussed the relative value of keel bolts and adhesive before, so I won’t rehash that. But on the 302/322 the primary issue is not failure of the bolts, but failure of the laminate holding the bolts. If the laminate fails, then no amount of glue holding the laminate to the keel will help.
Right. The adhesive was actually stronger than the fiberglass it was attached to. Under normal circumstances your keel was probably fine, but the keel sump overall was not strong enough to handle the extraordinary stress of a grounding and then holding the full weight of the boat. Agree that reinforcing the entire sump would be the only thing that would have helped.When my 302's keel fell off, the adhesive was holding on just fine... to chunks of fiberglass broken off from the hull.
Was the fuel cut-off originally inside the cockpit locker? Mine is located on the engine control panel. Maybe it was retrofitted by a PO.Despite the possible keel issues mentioned (and they are worth checking out), the 322 is a marvelous sailboat, way ahead of its time. Her hull shape and wing keel make her very maneuverable and quicker than one would expect. (Yesterday I out ran a Capri 37, which has a much lower PHRF - but that may have been her skipper's unhandiness.)
The 322's anchor roller structure allows for the easy addition of an extendable bowsprit so you can fly a Code 0, giving you a pseudo 34 footer.
Minor adjustments: move the fuel cutoff outside the cockpit locker and put a piano hinge on the ice box lid.
These babies go quickly so don’t wait too long.