Iron Keels

[J.B. Dyer]

Cast Iron

My 21 year old boat has an iron keel and I like it. Cast iron is funny stuff, it will only rust so far then it encapsulates itself and will rust no further. Ever seen an old country cast iron bell? I don't care how old it is or how bad it looks you can scratch the surface and there will be bright shiny metal just under the layer of rust. I'm not a racer so I don't worry about how slick the keel is. When I get a bottom job, all the keel gets is a pressure washing and some maintenance on the joint with an occasional torqueing of the bolts. If your not worried about how it looks, like who's going to see it anyway, maintenance can be -0-.Like eds928gt said, they are not pretty to look at, but they are functional. I won't be here to see it, but I'll bet a thousand years from now my fiberglass boat will be gone but that 5000 pound chunk of cast iron will still be around in some form or the other.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I am curious what peoples' experiences are with having iron ballast in the fixed keel. I have an uncle who is dead against iron because it rusts. What problems have other people faced? What can be expected maintenance for an iron keel?

 

[Bad Obsession]

I am curious what peoples' experiences are with having iron ballast in the fixed keel. I have an uncle who is dead against iron because it rusts. What problems have other people faced? What can be expected maintenance for an iron keel?

 

[eds928gt]

It does, but very very slowly.

My boat's iron keel is about 22 years old, and will likely last another 50 years at the current oxidization rate. They are not pretty to look at out of water, but they get the job done. Lead is of course better, but if the boat doesn't have lead keel, then you get what you get. The cost of replacement with a lead keel is beyond my budget for the boat. YMMV.~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

 

[eds928gt]

It does, but very very slowly.

My boat's iron keel is about 22 years old, and will likely last another 50 years at the current oxidization rate. They are not pretty to look at out of water, but they get the job done. Lead is of course better, but if the boat doesn't have lead keel, then you get what you get. The cost of replacement with a lead keel is beyond my budget for the boat. YMMV.~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~

 

[Warren M]

I've got an iron keel on my Hunter 28.5. When I bought the boat last year, the keel had some rust spots here and there. I wire-wheeled and sanded these spots, applied some zinc chromate paint, and then bottom painted the boat. When the boat was hauled about month ago, the keel only had a bit of rust bleed through here and there. Overall, I was pleased as I expected more rust. In the spring, I'll sand these spots again and put on some more zinc chromate, or POR (which I think would be better), and then bottom paint.Clearly, I would have preferred to have a lead keel. But so far the additional maintenance has not been a big deal.

 

[Warren M]

I've got an iron keel on my Hunter 28.5. When I bought the boat last year, the keel had some rust spots here and there. I wire-wheeled and sanded these spots, applied some zinc chromate paint, and then bottom painted the boat. When the boat was hauled about month ago, the keel only had a bit of rust bleed through here and there. Overall, I was pleased as I expected more rust. In the spring, I'll sand these spots again and put on some more zinc chromate, or POR (which I think would be better), and then bottom paint.Clearly, I would have preferred to have a lead keel. But so far the additional maintenance has not been a big deal.

 

[Gregg]

Iron Keel

Beneteau uses iron keels. The dealer says that they are barrier coated at the factory to prevent rusting.

 

[Gregg]

Iron Keel

Beneteau uses iron keels. The dealer says that they are barrier coated at the factory to prevent rusting.

 

[Harlan]

iron keel not a problem

My 1983 OD34 iron keel looks better than most lead keels. Uncared for they can be a mess but so can lead. If in less than excellent condition you'll have to sandblast, fair and coat with epoxy - a big job to start with. After that, minimal touch up work each spring should keep it in excellent condition. You should not have rusty bleed thru.

 

[Harlan]

iron keel not a problem

My 1983 OD34 iron keel looks better than most lead keels. Uncared for they can be a mess but so can lead. If in less than excellent condition you'll have to sandblast, fair and coat with epoxy - a big job to start with. After that, minimal touch up work each spring should keep it in excellent condition. You should not have rusty bleed thru.

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Cast Iron

My 21 year old boat has an iron keel and I like it. Cast iron is funny stuff, it will only rust so far then it encapsulates itself and will rust no further. Ever seen an old country cast iron bell? I don't care how old it is or how bad it looks you can scratch the surface and there will be bright shiny metal just under the layer of rust. I'm not a racer so I don't worry about how slick the keel is. When I get a bottom job, all the keel gets is a pressure washing and some maintenance on the joint with an occasional torqueing of the bolts. If your not worried about how it looks, like who's going to see it anyway, maintenance can be -0-.Like eds928gt said, they are not pretty to look at, but they are functional. I won't be here to see it, but I'll bet a thousand years from now my fiberglass boat will be gone but that 5000 pound chunk of cast iron will still be around in some form or the other.

 

[Daryl2400]

Rust Never Sleeps

Although it will like last forever, it will be rusting forever. I'm sure it was rusty when it was assembled at the factory. That keel is larger than a lead keel with similiar weight due to decreased density. Every time you do the bottom you'll be spending time of money on the keel even if only for cosmetic reasons. The good news is if the boat you are looking at had a lead keel the price would be higher.Best method is sand blast and epoxy coat within an hour. Wire brushing, grinding and chemicals can slow down but won't stop the rust. At each hauling clean the keel joint if it's flaking and coat it with 5200. Then have a beer and go sailing

 

[Daryl2400]

Rust Never Sleeps

Although it will like last forever, it will be rusting forever. I'm sure it was rusty when it was assembled at the factory. That keel is larger than a lead keel with similiar weight due to decreased density. Every time you do the bottom you'll be spending time of money on the keel even if only for cosmetic reasons. The good news is if the boat you are looking at had a lead keel the price would be higher.Best method is sand blast and epoxy coat within an hour. Wire brushing, grinding and chemicals can slow down but won't stop the rust. At each hauling clean the keel joint if it's flaking and coat it with 5200. Then have a beer and go sailing

 

[Kevin B]

Bad O - Iron ballast or iron keel?

Bad, are you asking about a keel moulded into the fiberglass hull and ballasted (i.e. filled) with iron, or are you asking about a bolted on iron fin keel?I have a 29 year old iron fin keel and my experience is similar to the other posts. It hasn't really been a problem. I have had to do some cosmetic touch ups each of the past 2 springs, but thats more due to neglect by the previous owners. This spring it won't need any work. But, I don't know if I would want a boat with encapsulated iron in a moulded keel. Kevin

 

[Kevin B]

Bad O - Iron ballast or iron keel?

Bad, are you asking about a keel moulded into the fiberglass hull and ballasted (i.e. filled) with iron, or are you asking about a bolted on iron fin keel?I have a 29 year old iron fin keel and my experience is similar to the other posts. It hasn't really been a problem. I have had to do some cosmetic touch ups each of the past 2 springs, but thats more due to neglect by the previous owners. This spring it won't need any work. But, I don't know if I would want a boat with encapsulated iron in a moulded keel. Kevin

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Or,

glass it in, have a beer and go sailing.P.S. Kevin just saw your post. I don't think iron is placed into a encapsulated hull because it's too hot. I think lead is used internally like on my old Ericson. Seems like the pour was done with the keel surrounded in water.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Or,

glass it in, have a beer and go sailing.P.S. Kevin just saw your post. I don't think iron is placed into a encapsulated hull because it's too hot. I think lead is used internally like on my old Ericson. Seems like the pour was done with the keel surrounded in water.

 

[Rick]

Just did mine.EASY!

I have an '88 H285 with an iron keel. the bottom of the keel had some rust along the edge. There was also some along the joint where it fastens to the hull.I cleaned it well. Stripped all the paint off, and applied 3 coats of Rust Lok (West Marine). I then wiped it dopn well with de-waxer then applied 4 coats of VC Tar. When the last coat of -Tar was dried, I put 3 coats of ablative paint ont he whole thing. Looks GREAT!

 

[Rick]

Just did mine.EASY!

I have an '88 H285 with an iron keel. the bottom of the keel had some rust along the edge. There was also some along the joint where it fastens to the hull.I cleaned it well. Stripped all the paint off, and applied 3 coats of Rust Lok (West Marine). I then wiped it dopn well with de-waxer then applied 4 coats of VC Tar. When the last coat of -Tar was dried, I put 3 coats of ablative paint ont he whole thing. Looks GREAT!