How bad is this keel?

[undrwtrfun]

During pre-purchase survey, 2002 Hunter 456, came across what the forums call a "smile". The keel (i believe its lead) has a crack that wraps approx. 1/2 of the port side and 1/3 of the starboard side.

I'm waiting on the survey report & have emailed Hunter direct, but would like to call upon the vast knowledge/experience of the forums.

Any inputs, advice, questions to ask, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the help!
Matt
First time buyer

 

[robertsapp]

I'd say this is one of those things that you'd prefer not to see, but which is fairly common and not too terribly concerning. If it were our boat, then if there were no other related issues like additional keel damage or water leakage into/out of the blldge, I'd let the seam dry out as long as possible and then tape it, fair it, paint it and call it a day.

Of course, since this is a pre-purchase survey, this is your opportunity to roll around on the ground screaming OH MY GOD OH MY GOD and otherwise act as if the boat is a living death trap, in order to get the seller to lower the purchase price.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

It looks to me like it might be more than just the usual "smile" where the hull and keel meet because there are two different materials bolted together. I would suspect a grounding in which there might be damage in the hull at the trailing edge where the keel meets the hull (which is typical). I would check the keel bolts inside to see if they need any tightening up and look in the bilge area to see if there are any tell tale signs of damage there too. If your surveyor knows his stuff, he will get to the bottom of it and make recommendations.

 

[DeniseO30]

going by the residue it's been out of the water and draining the bilge through the "crack" for quite sometime. drop it and inspect the bolts. replace sealant. reattach.. $$$$ I'm betting it's Iron.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Lead keel...

If in fact it is a lead keel, any grounding significant enough to cause the keel/hull joint to open up will leave tell-tale impression(s) on the leading edge of the keel, wings, or keel bottom.

Absent these signs, it would appear that this is another example of the common "Hunter Smile". Clean it out, caulk it or fill it with epoxy, fair it, and go sailing.

Enjoy your purchase!

 

[FastOlson]

going by the residue it's been out of the water and draining the bilge through the "crack" for quite sometime. drop it and inspect the bolts. replace sealant. reattach.. $$$$ I'm betting it's Iron.

I'm voting with Denise.


It's not all that expensive to drop the keel and rebed. We had it done once - maybe about $1800. additional since the boat was already out for bottom painting. (We had some seapage around one bolt. Dry bilge ever since.)

FWIW, when buying a used sailboat, try to find one with lead ballast. Better on several counts.

L

 

[robertsapp]

That boat has a lead keel. I'd still go with tape it, fair it, paint it and call it good.

 

[undrwtrfun]

Thank you all very much for your comments. I'm awaiting the surveyors final report and thanks to your inputs have a few "intelligent" questions to ask him.
The boat has been on the hard for a year and needs a bottom job anyway so dropping & re-bedding may be the best option depending on what he found in the bilge.
Thanks again for all the help!

 

[whatfiero]

put a magnet on it

that boat has a cast iron keel bet ya put a refrigerator magnet on it and it will stick I heard hunters were available as a 10,000 option to get a lead keel but the 500 or so hunters I've put a mag on have a cast iron. Just grind joint fill with 5200 epoxy and seal joint and all rust spots ( after grind clean) tighten keel bolts , bottom paint --done

 

[robertsapp]

Re: put a magnet on it

The boat has a lead keel and as the picture shows there are no rust spots. You're more than welcome to check the literature on the Hunter Marine website for the 456. Look under "previous models." Please quit unnecessarily worrying this owner.