Hunter 31 keel joint rust

[Jim Braun]

I have a 84 H31 with the cast iron keel. I have rust forming at the joint where the keel is attached to the hull. I have been painting the joint every year, but this year there were a few drops of water seeping out at haul out. I have checked the forums. Has anyone found a product that will seal the joint? I was thinking of putting a bead of 3M 5200 at the joint. My keel has an epoxy coat.

 

[Bob Fuller]

Keel Joint

During my haulout this year on my '90 33.5, I found the same problem at the aft 12 to 15 inches. According to the Shipyard Manager, due to the thinness of the keel in that area, no keel bolts can be used, and coupled with the flexing of the fiberglass and potential metal expansion/contraction, it will probably be a reoccurring incident. The Shipyard ground out the area showing rust, filled it with 5200 and applied the bottom paint. I believe it was @ $125 to do this. Others on this site have had bands of glass and resin applied for around $1000. Which is better? I'm not sure. Guess I'll find out how it held up in another year or so.

 

[mmsailor]

keel rust, ;

there is a pretty good thread on this in the archives in smaller boats, might want to look it up I would not use 5200 , I fixed mine according on a post in archives, think it was this spring, good Luck Mike B

 

[Bob Rutland]

My 84 H31

was in the same shape as yours when I had her hauled for a bottom job. I filled the keel to hull joint with fairing compound.It seemed to work fine, cured very hard and sanded out great.5200 is more flexable, but will bottom paint stick to it?  Bob

 

[Terry Goodin]

Same problem on my H31

Jim,I recently purchased a Hunter 31 (1984) and the bottom had been painted in April of this yr. with 2 coats. My survey indicated 'rust on the keel' but was reported as 'common' for this type of boat. AFter buying the boat, my diver looked at it and expressed concern. I noted that the previous owner had repaired the area this spring as I saw a receipt in the records where this work had been done.The explanation from the other gentleman in this forum regarding expansion and the thin keel seems to make sense. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I'll keep this forum posted as to my progress with finding a permanent fix.Sounds like it's a commonplace occurence on this boat and obviously some sort of manufacturing defect (or engineering defect).