Keel joint inspection/maintenance

[Dufour4800-175]

Hello! This is my keel joint! Im wondering what it tells us and what should I do with it?? Also, my keel bolts are completely covered in fibreglass so I wonder if I should just trust the assembly or try to dig through the glass to check them out?? This is on a Dufour 4800 (35 ft.) 1983. Thanks for your help!

 

[Apex]

could be encapsulated keel ballast, if no keel bolts, just the glass keeping it all together. no to digging glass in the bilge. research build type and search encapsulated keel repair for what is innvolved. g/l

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Sail magazine just did an article about keels, damages, and keel bolt degradation thru corrosion. I have no idea how good their article is but after reading their article, I would be concerned about the rust you have at those cracks. The article seems to indicate it is a concern regarding the keel bolts.

One of the things that surprised me when reading the article is their comments that most keel bolts in the bilge are encapsulated in resin. Mine are SS and it is obvious that they have never been encapsulated. They are as shiny as can be, but they are subject to moisture almost all of the time, even through the winter. I only find comfort in the knowledge that the water is always fresh water, not salt water, although the boat was in salt water in the past.

Going back to your photo, it appears that water weeps from the cracks and the water carries stains from corrosion. Do you have a lead keel or iron keel ... I think that may make a difference. Sailboatdata indicates your boat has an iron keel. So this may indicated that you just have some minor corrosion from the keel through cracks in the paint ... not nearly as worrisome as rusting bolts. Keel failures seem to be pretty rare so it is not likely that you should have much concern.

I don't think you should uncover the keel bolts until there is convincing evidence that corroding bolts is even an issue.

Mine is lead, and if I ever had any sign of water leakage or rust-staining outside the keel at the joint with the stub, I would be concerned.

 

[Dufour4800-175]

Thanks for your infos!! Ok, so considering I have a steel balast, and encapsulated bolts, I have no ways of verifying whats going on... Should I just assume everything will be allright?? Im not loving the idea!!! Anybody?

 

[NYSail]

My previous boat had an encapsulated ballast (cal 34-3) and if those cracks were in the fiberglass I would bet water would be coming in. But today is your lucky day! The company is still in business (unlike Pearson). I would call them directly, send some photos and let them tell you what's going on. My keel bolts are not encapsulated and are shiny in the dry bilge but if you had to adjust yours you will need to dig them out.
Good luck and please keep us up to date. Always think about those bolts and all that weight......

 

[Ray Bowles]

Dufour, Was the fiberglass that is over the bolts something done by the factory or does it appear something done later? Investigate what the factory practices were when they built the boat and that will answer the question about the covering of the bolts.
Also, reading the articule in the current Sail magazine will help explain keel atachment methods.
Finally, you can find a wealth of info on the net in different sailing forums. This is something that I would spend all the time required to research this problem before doing anything to the boat. By that I also mean that these answers must come from other Dufour owners or persons knowing their keel structure.
Good luck, Ray

 

[Dufour4800-175]

Hello, thanks for the answers, im reading your advices with great interest!

The keel bolts seemed factory sealed by the manufacturer as you can see in the attached picture. I wrote to dufour directly to discuss the situation but 2 days later still no answers. Im no so suprised but i still think that they might answer sooner or later! Ill keep you posted!

 

[capta]

I would suggest you grind the area where the rust is and see what's going on in there. If it just needs some anti-rust treatment, it's easy enough to re-glass he area and at least you'll know what the rust was from. Seems like the boat may have run aground pretty hard.

 

[Dufour4800-175]

Sail magazine just did an article about keels, damages, and keel bolt degradation thru corrosion. I have no idea how good their article is but after reading their article, I would be concerned about the rust you have at those cracks. The article seems to indicate it is a concern regarding the keel bolts. One of the things that surprised me when reading the article is their comments that most keel bolts in the bilge are encapsulated in resin. Mine are SS and it is obvious that they have never been encapsulated. They are as shiny as can be, but they are subject to moisture almost all of the time, even through the winter. I only find comfort in the knowledge that the water is always fresh water, not salt water, although the boat was in salt water in the past. Going back to your photo, it appears that water weeps from the cracks and the water carries stains from corrosion. Do you have a lead keel or iron keel ... I think that may make a difference. Sailboatdata indicates your boat has an iron keel. So this may indicated that you just have some minor corrosion from the keel through cracks in the paint ... not nearly as worrisome as rusting bolts. Keel failures seem to be pretty rare so it is not likely that you should have much concern. I don't think you should uncover the keel bolts until there is convincing evidence that corroding bolts is even an issue. Mine is lead, and if I ever had any sign of water leakage or rust-staining outside the keel at the joint with the stub, I would be concerned.

Is the article from sail magasine you are talking about is in october issue?? I dont see it in sept? And I dont have received my oct copy yet... Cant wait to reveive it...