i have just purchased a 83 hunter 34 and first item to address is the smile doesn' seem to awful but could use advice from othe owners. seal and fair.
- Thread starter kramerica
- Start date
I figure going it out pick up anything in crevice rust preventer
My concern is do I have to lower keel to fill
My concern is do I have to lower keel to fill
iron keel, keel bolts looked perfect it was in water last year and all subsequent years prior
boat looked to well cared for at a reputable yard. I will torque them on my next visit will be monday working today.
freshwater boat
boat looked to well cared for at a reputable yard. I will torque them on my next visit will be monday working today.
freshwater boat
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 24,511
The fact that the boat has been in fresh water is good. The corrosion process is slower in fresh water.
We know that the boat is about 43 years old. In that time, you can expect that cracks have developed in the sealant protecting the iron keel and the keel to deck joint. Origionally the builder would have used an adhesive caulk like 3M's 5200. Based on your pictures, it is easy to guess that the keel/hull joint has been compromised. Water has invaded the juncture and reached the keel, perhaps the bolts. Even stainless steel does not survive submerged in water.
Is there any evidence of active leaking?
Is there movement of the keel?
You say the bolts look perfect. Is that just the tops, or have you investigated further?
Here is a good link to keel inspection and maintenance.
your-guide-to-keel-maintenance
We know that the boat is about 43 years old. In that time, you can expect that cracks have developed in the sealant protecting the iron keel and the keel to deck joint. Origionally the builder would have used an adhesive caulk like 3M's 5200. Based on your pictures, it is easy to guess that the keel/hull joint has been compromised. Water has invaded the juncture and reached the keel, perhaps the bolts. Even stainless steel does not survive submerged in water.
Is there any evidence of active leaking?
Is there movement of the keel?
You say the bolts look perfect. Is that just the tops, or have you investigated further?
Here is a good link to keel inspection and maintenance.
your-guide-to-keel-maintenance
To expand on the keel bolts “looked perfect”, this is a big red flag and is all the more reason to suspect problems. No keel bolts ever “looked perfect” after decades. Regardless, what’s important is what you can’t see, not what you can…
I would suspect that checking the keel bolt torque MAY be looking for trouble if the bolts are badly corroded.
Simply covering up this problem with sealant is not a good idea given the number of years the problem could have been working away in there.
Drop it !
No movement I was informed the joint was done 4 years prior by owner.
he said at the time the bolts were in great shape. I’ll inform on Monday about the torquing of bolts in
he said at the time the bolts were in great shape. I’ll inform on Monday about the torquing of bolts in
About one thing we can all be certain - never place implicit trust in what a former owner tells you. It’s. Important to understand specifically what “the joint was done” includes. Plus, don’t ignore the above advice about playing with keel bolt torqu. If any corrosion exists, you will do more damage. Good luck!
Aw, c'mon.
He didn't open up the joint BUT he was able to inspect the keel bolts with his X-ray vision glasses. I keep mine right beside my borescope :
After seeing this additional insight into the previous owner, I'll double down on my recommendation to drop the keel .............. yesterday.
What I am looking at now is info on portlight lenses I’ll post a photo or two of what it’s got now there are a couple that are cracked at the locking tabs