Help with keel repair

[Bruce]

I have a buldge on the starboard side of my keel as a result of a leak in a keel bolt and winter freeze/thaw. Any suggestions on a repair method? How about the method of eliminating the leaky keel bolt? I also have a section on the keel that needs repair. It is a large chip out of the material that covers the lead. It is about the size of a silver dollar and 6 mm deep. What material should I use to patch?Thanks

 

[Steve Franklin]

Repairs

Bruce, you may want to check out Dick Dickens' Tech talk manual. I think he has some info on keel repair. If not, the folks at Catalina are always helpful whenever I call or e-mail with questions. There are some good books on boat repair available at our library, as well.Is it a leaky keel bolt, or a leak in the keel/stub joint? Do you have rust stains? How far down the keel is the bulge? Lots of questions you need to be able to answer to identify exactly the kind of repair you need. Getting an estimate from a boat yard may put you on the right track, even if you want to do your own work. Gel coat, epoxy fairing compound or Marine-Tex would all work to fix the chunk out of the keel.Hope you get it all done before to much sailing time is lost!! Good luck!Fair winds!!Steve