Hunter 40

[tony]

I recently looked at a Hunter 40 and liked the boat. When talking to some people about it, they told me to watch out for the iron keel. My question is, do all the earlier 40's have iron keels? Would you buy a boat with an iron keel? Any comments would be greatly appreciated? Thanks.

 

[D Sorenson]

Cast Iron Keel OK

We have a '89 - 40 with a Cast Iron Keel. As near as I can tell the main disadvantage is that when the epoxy coating is penetrated it pits or rusts. I took down the bad areas with a mechanical grinder two years ago and put epoxy paint back on. The next time it will need sand blasting the entire keel and starting from all bare metal to get the proper coating I am told.Lead is denser but if you hit a rock hard it may mean a new keel because it is soft. When I had the boat surveyed at purchase 5 years ago the surveyor said each type has its good and bad points with no clear overall winner. The 40 is a real winner of a boat. Would purchase it again without hesitation.

 

[Michael Fyffe]

h40 is a winner

My wife and I live on a 1985 h40 and we love it. The iron keel takes some maintenance but any keel (and boat) needs loving. You can see our boat at http://home.att.net/~radars.

 

[Tim]

lead vs iron

The only reason for iron over lead is manufacturing cost. Iron is cheaper.-Lead is denser, lowering wetted surface-Lead requires zero maintainance, iron needs regular work.-Lead absorbs small impacts and is repaired with a hammer. Iron transfers the impact to the hull.None of which is really a big deal EXCEPT if the boat generates rust between the keel and the hull mounting skeg you can have problems.

 

[Stephen Ostrander]

Pb vs. Fe

For the sake of discussion, not argument:I agree with the fact that lead is denser than iron. Gold is dense and doesn't rust, but its not very cost effective! As long as the ballast is the right amount for the boat, it shouldn't make a difference, except that the keel would get larger in size, and some boats have full keels. And the wetted surface is bottom paint, not iron or lead, unless you don't paint your keel, which I wouldn't reccommend. And the prep work (grinding, sanding, fairing, priming, painting) is the same for either. If its done right, there should be no problems with either. And as for small impacts-- its the large ones that get you!

 

[jwsailor]

iron keel no problem

I have a 1988 hunter 40 with the iron keel and have no real problems with it.My last boat was a 1983 hunter 34 with and iron keel and it also was no problem. I will agree iron properly cared for requires more maintenance. On both of my iron keel i sandblasted them down to bare metal and epoxied and faired them when i bought them. Both keels are still in great shape.And yes I love my hunter 40.

 

[Jim Shaffer]

But what if??11

I have an iron keel and it's beginning "to show". What is the recommended way to encapsulate the keel for several more years of minimal maintenance?