Keel Damage

[joker460]

With the low water levels in Lake Ontario over the last few months I actually
hit something in the bay last month, Just off the docks.

I've asked the marina to investigate just so other boaters don't find it by accident.

I finally got the boat hauled out for the winter today and noticed the keel damage.

It looks like I just grazed the object.

My question is how to you go about fixing this scratch in a lead keel.

 

[James Simmonds]

I too "grazed" a rock in Georgian Bay (the declining water levels have become a serious issue for us on this part of the Great Lakes). My keel is cast iron (B331) and it appears as though I have taken off the outer shell right at the bottom of the keel on the starboard side.
Given the impact at the time I have considered myself extremely lucky that this all the damage there is - I think my ego sustained more damage. Advice on how to do the repair would be most welcome.

 

[justsomeguy]

With the low water levels in Lake Ontario over the last few months I actually
hit something in the bay last month, Just off the docks.

I've asked the marina to investigate just so other boaters don't find it by accident.

I finally got the boat hauled out for the winter today and noticed the keel damage.

It looks like I just grazed the object.

My question is how to you go about fixing this scratch in a lead keel.

This might meet with some flack, but have you thought about a small sledgehammer?

 

[DougM]

the Beneteau keels are not lead. They are cast Iron with an outer coating that appears to be a gelcoat or an epoxy.
The repair would be to grind the damaged area down to bare iron, cover it with several coats of barrier coat,then re coat with VC17.

 

[justsomeguy]

the Beneteau keels are not lead. They are cast Iron with an outer coating that appears to be a gelcoat or an epoxy.
The repair would be to grind the damaged area down to bare iron, cover it with several coats of barrier coat,then re coat with VC17.

Well, that'd make a difference in my approach.

 

[joker460]

The 352 is a lead keel.

 

[justsomeguy]

I'm back on board with the sledge!

 

[py26129]

After you're done with the hammer, fair the scratch with epoxy mixed with a suitable filler, sand and paint.

Done. ................until the next time.

Matt
P.S. On our lake here in Montreal, we've been 2-3 feet below normal almost for the whole season. We've discovered a whole series of new obstacles this season.:cry:

 

[joker460]

py26129

I feel for you . I hate to say it, but we need a lot of snow this year that stays put until the spring.

In talking with some of the old timers here, I may have found the old volkswagen that sank in the bay. Just my luck.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

VC Systems makes a product that is epoxy called VC Watertight. It is a 2-part epoxy that is like peanut butter in consistency and good for underwater use. You need to grind out that area so it is clean and let dry. Smooth the epoxy to fill the damage, let it cure and then sand smooth. Then you can apply whatever is on the rest of the keel.

 

[James Simmonds]

For damaged keels that are cast iron, has anyone ever heard of or used a product called POR15? (http://www.canada-por15.com/index.htm). The damage to my keel is superfical but down to the iron.

 

[py26129]

POR15 = good stuff

James

I did the whole keel on my previous boat, a PY26 with POR15. About 8 years before I sold the boat. I took it down to the bare metal and put on a coat on POR 1. Then I faired with epoxy and micro baloons, sanded it smooth and painted the whole thing in 2 coats of POR 15 . This turned the keel from a rusty mess into something that had the odd little rust spot, no bigger than a pea which was easily touched up.

To be completely transparent, the boat lived in fresh water but I believe POR15 was conceived for use on oil platforms and is commonly used to protect car parts from corrosion.

One last thing, follow the instructions on the can very carefully for best results and make very sure you do not get any on your hands. If you do. it takes weeks to come off. Don;t ask!

Matt

 

[py26129]

py26129

I feel for you . I hate to say it, but we need a lot of snow this year that stays put until the spring.

In talking with some of the old timers here, I may have found the old volkswagen that sank in the bay. Just my luck.

I agree about the snow. We need a lot both in Quebec & Ontario and in the Midwest as well.

Actually I was feeling pretty smug all year as the IP31 only draws 4 feel. I did get punished when I got stuck, in the harbour near the shearleg and the staff had to tow me off with the result of a nice scratch on the keel. Add it to the fix list for the spring!

Matt

 

[knot smart]

The 352 is a lead keel.

thank god its lead, i thought it was..i just closed on a 352 that has some keel damage and i planned on hitting it with a torch to soften it up, muscle it with a 3lb sledge and hitting it with a grinder to shape it and smooth it out

 

[MSN-Travelers]

The 352 was available with two different keels . . .

thank god its lead, i thought it was..i just closed on a 352 that has some keel damage and i planned on hitting it with a torch to soften it up, muscle it with a 3lb sledge and hitting it with a grinder to shape it and smooth it out

The "standard" keel on the 352 is cast iron with a bulb and little wings. I think joker has the optional deep draft keel on his boat and his may be lead.

 

[joker460]

That's strange as mine is a 5' draft and it is lead. Magnet does not hold to it. Cast Iron would not cut like butter as shown in my orignal post.

 

[Jackdaw]

the Beneteau keels are not lead. They are cast Iron with an outer coating that appears to be a gelcoat or an epoxy.
The repair would be to grind the damaged area down to bare iron, cover it with several coats of barrier coat,then re coat with VC17.

Depends on the boat.