I'm interested in opinions on the attached photos of the iron keel on this Hunter 31. I'm considering purchasing but am very concerned about the integrity of the keel. There is some separation at the keel to hull joint which I understand is normal, but the crack at the leading edge looks like it's possibly been repaired and then failed. Possibly grounded?
Hunter 31 cracked keel
- Thread starter Bradv
- Start date
Hi Bradv, it is abnormal for a separation in the keel stub joint. It looks as though something caused the joint to open up. If it were my boat I would have a marine surveyor assess the joint integrity, possible repairs and estimated costs. These should be taken into consideration towards the purchase of the boat.
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So far as I can tell the fiberglass hull at the front of the keel and aft end is undamaged, which would be unlikely if there was a hard grounding. Before engaging a surveyor, I would inspect the bilge around the keel carefully with a strong flashlight to look for damage to the tabbing around the keel stump. If the tabbing has separated then a hard grounding is likely and repairs could be a substantial expense. If the tabbing in in tact, and you like the rest of the boat, it's time for the surveyor.
The crack at the front looks like separation of the keel from the keel stub. I can't tell from the photo if it is the keel itself, which would be unlikely. Keel stub repairs are highly suspect because few do them by taking the keel off and rebedding the whole keel. More likely some goop de jour was pumped in, smoothed and painted. In any event that iron keel will have to be stripped down to metal and treated with layers of epoxy or other anticorrosion technology. You're probably going to drop the keel if you buy this boat.
The crack at the front looks like separation of the keel from the keel stub. I can't tell from the photo if it is the keel itself, which would be unlikely. Keel stub repairs are highly suspect because few do them by taking the keel off and rebedding the whole keel. More likely some goop de jour was pumped in, smoothed and painted. In any event that iron keel will have to be stripped down to metal and treated with layers of epoxy or other anticorrosion technology. You're probably going to drop the keel if you buy this boat.
Thank you Terry. The boat is well cared for but this is potentially a big deal and I'd rather not worry about it for the many years that is own this craft.
Thanks Shemander! I agree that it looks like some repairs were done over the crack and they've given way and released from the iron. When I get back to the boat (without the owners standing there watching) I'd like to scrape this area and see if epoxy or gel coat material comes off before I get to iron.
There are some odd straight line cracks in bottom photo. I'm not familiar with that boat/keel, but I'd check those. If owner let's you, scrape paint off those and the "smile" at the front. If lucky, maybe these cracks are just in the paint layers.
Is the boat at the Lewis and Clark Marina? If so, talk to Heath, the manager, he'll likely know the history of the boat and what it would cost to repair. He's a great guy. Otherwise, I'd say "well cared for" and the condition of that keel contradict each other.
IMHO, lead keeled boats have far less corrosion issues than iron. Yes, properly sealed, iron keels work, but lead much easier to deal with. If I were looking to purchase a Hunter as I have in the past, lead would be my keel of choice.
have you contacted Hunter and asked their advice? you'd be surprised what the manufacturer might be able to tell you.
JR: yes it's at L&C Marina and Heath is representing the seller as he has the boat on consignment. Puts him in an awkward position.
MI: Thanks for the advice, I emailed Marlow Hunter Tech s evening, hopefully they'll have some advice.
Terry: you are correct sir, lead doesn't rust! Not sure who thought putting a giant hunk of iron in the water was a great idea.
MI: Thanks for the advice, I emailed Marlow Hunter Tech s evening, hopefully they'll have some advice.
Terry: you are correct sir, lead doesn't rust! Not sure who thought putting a giant hunk of iron in the water was a great idea.
JR gave you some good advice about checking locally with the yard if that is the yard where the boat is located and if not still ask the yard folks what they know about the boat. As for going back and scraping and or cutting out anything, if caught doing that, you could be in a lot of trouble without the permission of the owner. I have heard of horrow stories of folks doing that over the years as a dealer talking with others in the industry dealer network, yards and so on. that happened once in my yard and the owner had the woman in that case arrested for damaging private property.
Had the same problem with my 1987 Hunter 31 twice over the last 18 years. The flaring fails along the seam of the iron keel and the hull. Sand, flair, protect and paint.
