H33:what is the keel made of?

[Mike Oatsvall]

I'm sure I could call Hunter for this but I thought I'd start here first.
I have a 2004 Hunter 33. Is the keel lead, steel or ?
thanks.
Miike Oatsvall

 

[seadaddler]

Cast Iron

My 2007 is cast Iron and don't know what year they changed to cast Iron,I am sure Hunter to help.
When bottom painting a cast Iron if you sand down to the metal a special sealer is needed.
Nick

 

[Nereussailor]

If it's like my H30, it's probably lead encapsulated in steel. But yours could be different

Dave

 

[Ed Schenck]

Really Nick?! I remember that Hunter switched to iron in the mid-80s, the H34 was notorious for rusty keels. I thought they had switched back to solid lead years ago. I never heard of lead encapsulated in steel. Hunter did investigate the use of encapsulated concrete many years ago but could not get the weight per volume that was required.

 

[navigator97]

Mike,

We have a 1990 Hunter 33.5 and the keel is iron.

Dick

 

[seadaddler]

Was Told

I am not sure who told me that they now use cast Iron,I was surprised to hear it was not Lead.
I will look in my Manual maybe it was in the manual that said it.
Nick

 

[jacksam]

2004 Hunter 33 Keel
I have a 2004 33 and mine is lead. Hunter changed later to iron with lead bulb

 

[kloudie1]

My H34 keel isn't rusty.. It is cast iron encased in Interprotect 3000 barrier coat

 

[BruceK]

My '08 H33 built in Aug '07 is a fin keel...lead....

 

[nickc]

Lead Key Selling Feature

One of the key selling points when I bought my H33 2004 Hull #208 was the fact that it had a lead (fin) keel. This was in the sales literature. It certainly is lead as I had some keel repairs done a couple of years ago when the Hunter applied paint started bubbling and parted company with the lead.
The reason for my keeness for lead was that my previous boat had a cast iron keel with epoxy paint and it required major derusting everytime it came out of the water. I paid for all sorts of fancy treatments but nothing really worked. Also of course lead is the best for yacht performance, higher density less volume for same effect.