Dear Hunter Owners, Friends . . .
Yesterday, I visited a 1995 vintage Hunter 35.5 now stored on blocks at a yard. I expect to be cruising on her for an extended period this winter in FL. The purpose was a "quick check-out" before she goes back in the water. (She has been stored for several months)
Much to my dismay, I noticed a long horizontal crack in the keel. This crack ran from the front of the keel about halfway back the length. It appeared on both sides of the keel. It was about one foot down from the rounded hull bottom shape. I assume that "line" - which is now the crack - is where the keel (with wings and bulb on this 35.5) was originally connected to the bottom of the hull?
Worse, to my way of thinking, on the starboard side of the keel along the crack line was a large area of RUST (Ugh!) that had seeped out of the crack and down the side of the keel. Ahead of, and behind, the rust seepage area was ooze of another type (unidentified), but white, grey and yellow in color?
On the port side of the keel, there was no rust seepage, but plenty of the white-yellow-grey seepage?
First, rust (possibly from keel bolts?) is very troubling. But, not knowing how the Hunter keels were constructed, or attached to the hull, I am at a loss to know what to think about this problem?
Has anyone else every experienced such a Hunter keel crack issue?
ANY information will be helpful.
We do not even know where to start re: the investigation . . . let alone how to get a proper repair made?
Is there another expert source I can contact?
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Yesterday, I visited a 1995 vintage Hunter 35.5 now stored on blocks at a yard. I expect to be cruising on her for an extended period this winter in FL. The purpose was a "quick check-out" before she goes back in the water. (She has been stored for several months)
Much to my dismay, I noticed a long horizontal crack in the keel. This crack ran from the front of the keel about halfway back the length. It appeared on both sides of the keel. It was about one foot down from the rounded hull bottom shape. I assume that "line" - which is now the crack - is where the keel (with wings and bulb on this 35.5) was originally connected to the bottom of the hull?
Worse, to my way of thinking, on the starboard side of the keel along the crack line was a large area of RUST (Ugh!) that had seeped out of the crack and down the side of the keel. Ahead of, and behind, the rust seepage area was ooze of another type (unidentified), but white, grey and yellow in color?
On the port side of the keel, there was no rust seepage, but plenty of the white-yellow-grey seepage?
First, rust (possibly from keel bolts?) is very troubling. But, not knowing how the Hunter keels were constructed, or attached to the hull, I am at a loss to know what to think about this problem?
Has anyone else every experienced such a Hunter keel crack issue?
ANY information will be helpful.
We do not even know where to start re: the investigation . . . let alone how to get a proper repair made?
Is there another expert source I can contact?
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.
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