Knowing these two problems are common, and having done extensive research through the archives, I finally called the Hunter factory, Interlux, and West Systems. Regarding refinishing or treating rust on an iron keel, Interlux is currently recommending 5 coats of 2000E over a freshly ground (top surloin?) surface. The problem with 2000E is that you have to wait 5 hours minium between coats. Since I am about to follow Hunter's recommended repair for the crack at the keel joint (5200 and a layer of fiberglass cloth) using West System epoxy and cloth tape, I wondered if you could just use West epoxy instead of 2000E on the keel, since 2000E is "a two part epoxy coating." The advantage of using epoxy is that you only have to wait until a coat is tacky before applying the next coat. I called the West technical department, and the nice gentleman's recommendation for treating iron keels is below. I've also noted in the archives that people are using 2000E as a primer over glass repairs applied before bottom paint. West says this is not necessary, that bottom paint can be directly applied to their epoxy. Epoxy is epoxy after all; why coat epoxy (West) with epoxy (2000E) By the way, all of these factory/product people I talk to, say the repair it won't last more than a couple of years. For what it is worth: Keel joint crack repair 1. Open crack with a Dimel tool or drill with pointed grinding stone. 2. Calk the crack with 3M5200 3. Prepare surface with 80 grit sand paper. 4. Apply fairing compound (West 407) as need to level surface 5. Glass with 1 to 3 layers of cloth (West Episize tape), wetting out with epoxy (w/no fillers added). 6. When cured, sand with 80 grit. 7. Bottom paint Keel Rust spots - whether doing the entire keel or rust spots 1. Clean to bright metal with wire wheel or grinding stone (wire wheel on grinder, drill not powerful enough). 2. Work in first coat of epoxy with a wire brush (corrosion will start immediately, wire brush loosens invisible corrosion and blends it with primer coat). 3. When first coat is tacky, apply 5 to 6 more coats. 4. Apply fairing compound as needed to level surface. 5. Lightly rough with 80 grit sandpaper for a good bonding surface 6. Apply bottom paint.
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Might Last Longer..
.. I hauled my V32 at a year and found cracking at the keel. I had the yard repair it and they did just as you suggested, based upon Hunter's recommendation. Also had the keel re-torqued at the same time. Was OK nine years later. Rick D.
.. I hauled my V32 at a year and found cracking at the keel. I had the yard repair it and they did just as you suggested, based upon Hunter's recommendation. Also had the keel re-torqued at the same time. Was OK nine years later. Rick D.
I noticed a crack where my keel meets the haul!
Hey guys, I just purchased a Hunter 27 (1977) I noticed that there is a crack where the keel meets the haul of the boat. I just figured that this is natural play in the keel??? What do you think? Skipper (Manager of South Coast Yachts)
Hey guys, I just purchased a Hunter 27 (1977) I noticed that there is a crack where the keel meets the haul of the boat. I just figured that this is natural play in the keel??? What do you think? Skipper (Manager of South Coast Yachts)
Stress on the Keel
I'm not sure I would call it natural play, but when the boat is heeled, there is a lot of pressure on the keel. After about ten years, most bolted on keels will show a crack at the hull/keel joint. Hence the first posting...Hunter says to open the crack with a Dremel (sp?) tool, which I did today and it worked quite well. Fill the crack with 5200, grind a band about four inches wide, and glass over it. I'm half way through, I'll let you know how it turns out. Blue Man (my new name at the Yard, from sanding bottom paint).
I'm not sure I would call it natural play, but when the boat is heeled, there is a lot of pressure on the keel. After about ten years, most bolted on keels will show a crack at the hull/keel joint. Hence the first posting...Hunter says to open the crack with a Dremel (sp?) tool, which I did today and it worked quite well. Fill the crack with 5200, grind a band about four inches wide, and glass over it. I'm half way through, I'll let you know how it turns out. Blue Man (my new name at the Yard, from sanding bottom paint).
Blue Man! Hahahah (I was called Blueberry Man)
Thank you Dean! I am very anxious to hear from you! My e mail is skipper66@buckeyeinternet if you would like to stay in touch? I have much to offer if you are interested in hearing from me too. I am an expert gel coat and fiberglass repair man....Don't do it for a living but have become very very good over the years. I also know much about other boat repairs. I know nothing of these darn yanmar engines though. I could really use some help on them. Skipper
Thank you Dean! I am very anxious to hear from you! My e mail is skipper66@buckeyeinternet if you would like to stay in touch? I have much to offer if you are interested in hearing from me too. I am an expert gel coat and fiberglass repair man....Don't do it for a living but have become very very good over the years. I also know much about other boat repairs. I know nothing of these darn yanmar engines though. I could really use some help on them. Skipper
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