Iron Keel?

[Karen G. Doyle]

Hello all, A friend of ours is currently looking at a 1985 H 40. Can you advise what They should expect to see / do regarding the iron keel. We are unfamiliar with the care needed. Thanks, K

 

[Marc Honey]

Iron Keel

First time I had it out of the water for a bottom job, I'd grind it down and paint it with a good 2-part epoxy barrier coat then apply the bottom paint of your choice that you are using on the rest of the bottom.

 

[Larry S.]

Iron keels, pain in the *&%$

Hi, I had a H31 with an iron keel, I loved the boat but the keel was always a sore spot. I finally went to the trouble of having the yard sand blast it down to bare metal, then they primed it with a heavy duty commercial rust proofing, I faired it and gave it two coats of west system epoxy, this worked pretty well, but the keel does work a little when sailing so almost every year you may have to touch up the keel to hull joint. I personally will never buy a boat with an iron keel again, although I did have this boat for 13 years because she sailed so well (deep draft). Good luck

 

[Dakota Jim Russell]

Contact Interlux

I recently had a problem on a keel. At the suggestion of Hunter, I called Interlux. They provided a detailed suggestion on how to deal with the problem. They also have some inexpensive manuals that deal with the subject of keels, epoxy, etc. They were extremely helpful in my case.They are on line at:http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/or by phone at:908 686 1300

 

[Johnny Hughes]

Good Idea

On my second Hunter with an iron keel now. I sandblasted the keel to bare metal used Interlux epoxy, epoxy primer and bottom paint, works great. By the way the keel really shoundn't "work", maybe you need to check keel to hull joint if keel is constantly moving.