Hunter 30 Keel Work

[ggooch]

Working on bottom paint this year and trying to decide what to do about the keel. Lot's of flaking and chipping on the barrier coat. What would you do? Wire wheel down to bare metal? Chisel away and fill? Just leave it? Something else?

Thanks!
Geoff

 

[sail sfbay]

Strip keel completely by sanding/grinding/chiseling, fill any depressions, apply 5-7 coats of epoxy primer barrier paint followed by antifoulant paint. That is what my sailboat had to go through. Please refer to the following links for more information.

Keels: Minor Maintenance and Repair - Practical Sailor

Since 1974, Practical Sailor’s independent testing has taken the guesswork out of boat and gear buying.

www.practical-sailor.com

 

[Blitz]

Lead doesn't rust so a little different prep, but similar.

 

[sail sfbay]

Blitz,

Good point. Below is a photo of my lead keel with evidence of corrosion presumably due to galvanic corrosion from the copper paint. The keel was sanded/grinded/brushed completely to bare metal followed by 7 coats of epoxy primer then 2 coats of hard antifouling paint. Photo of finished painted keel attached. My diver just cleaned the bottom/keel and reported the paint looks good after 16 months (hopping for 36 months, we will see).