how often do you worry

[DeniseO30]

about your encapsulated Keel? Mine is fine (near as I can tell) The faired hull bottom along the keel when we did the barrier coat is still flawless going on 2 yeas now.

 

[jibes138]

I wasn't aware the O30 had an encapsulated keel, i assumed it was a bolt on like other O'Day's? Is it just the joint that is encapsulated or is the entire keel fiberglass filled with ballast?

 

[DeniseO30]

I think they were built both ways Dave. No bolts all glass with lead inside. this is from 2 yrs ago. when we did the barrier coat.

 

[Orens]

Denise, I own a 31, which is basically the same boat you have with a longer tramson or swim platform. Your keel is not encapsulated, it is bolted on to the hull. If you lift the floor boards in your salon and look at your bilge you will see the bolts next to the bilge pump and float switch. And unfortunally it is not made out of lead, but it is cast iron, and therefore subject to corrosion unless is mantained properly. It seems that whomever painted your bottom, did a great job of fairing keel/hull joint, eventually you will see the joint develop again, the keel will move back and forth, through groundings and other motion of the boat, this is perfectly normal. You need to check the through bolts for corrosion and tightness once a season.

 

[DeniseO30]

Nope Orens, it's all glass and there are no bolts in the bilge, Even the Surveyor explained it to me when I got her about 4 yrs ago now. There is no keel to shoe joint and there is never a "smile" to ck. Guess you didn't see the picture above