Does anyone have any experience with repair of a cracked keel ?? We just hauled our boat today to paint the bottom, etc. and found a crack in the keel. It's about 16" long, horizontal, about 3" below the hull, and at the rear of the keel. The yard man said he thoght we had a steel keel, and it could easily be welded. I know it's not lead, because of the rust at the crack, but it could be cast iron. Oddly enough, the boat we were set up next to (a Seidelman 34) had the same crack, as well as one at the front of the keel. Does anyone have any advice, experience, knowlege, or sympathy ?? I am going to call Hunter on this for their advice, but I wanted to see what other Hunter owners had to say. Thanks
Keel Crack
- Thread starter Gene16575
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Got a picture?
If it is anything like mine the crack maybe the joint between the fiberglass and the steel. A picture would sure help.
If it is anything like mine the crack maybe the joint between the fiberglass and the steel. A picture would sure help.
separation of keel from hull?
When I bought my boat there was a *crack* at the front of the keel where the lead met the fiberglass. Not real damage to the boat, but when the boat was in the yard and blocked (and resting considerable weight on the keel) the keel bolts were tightened. No problem since. (No leaks, no crack on subsequent haulout, etc.)
When I bought my boat there was a *crack* at the front of the keel where the lead met the fiberglass. Not real damage to the boat, but when the boat was in the yard and blocked (and resting considerable weight on the keel) the keel bolts were tightened. No problem since. (No leaks, no crack on subsequent haulout, etc.)
Keel Joint
You could spend a lot of time and effort on this area. The best solution is to clean out the joint with a wire wheel grinder and fill with 5200. If you spend more time with fairing compound, epoxy and sanding you will end up doing it again. The 3M 5200 allows some flex which is good
You could spend a lot of time and effort on this area. The best solution is to clean out the joint with a wire wheel grinder and fill with 5200. If you spend more time with fairing compound, epoxy and sanding you will end up doing it again. The 3M 5200 allows some flex which is good
Thank you all.........
I'll post a pic and then take the wire wheel to it for a better look. I just assumed it was actally the metal that cracked, but, It certainly could be the keel/hull joint as it is at the top.
I'll post a pic and then take the wire wheel to it for a better look. I just assumed it was actally the metal that cracked, but, It certainly could be the keel/hull joint as it is at the top.
Check the archives
Several of us have written extensively about keel cracks and maintaining iron keels. Its a common problem, with a simple, yet labor intensive solution.
Several of us have written extensively about keel cracks and maintaining iron keels. Its a common problem, with a simple, yet labor intensive solution.
Here is a picture
After a little grinding down, the crack appears to be in the fairing material, not in the metal
After a little grinding down, the crack appears to be in the fairing material, not in the metal
Yes this is definitely the joint
Don't sweat it much that is the joint between the cast iron keel and the fiberglass bottom of the boat. It is not a cracked keel. Just wire wheel away the paint and seal with sealant like 5200.
Don't sweat it much that is the joint between the cast iron keel and the fiberglass bottom of the boat. It is not a cracked keel. Just wire wheel away the paint and seal with sealant like 5200.
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