Keel Joint question

[Steve Larson]

While sanding the bottom of my boat for a new coat of paint I notice that the keel joint in spots is cracked. It seems that at some time in its past the boat has been caulked with a pliant type of material and at another time the boat has received a band of fiberglass along parts of the joint. I would like to fix it properly so my question is what is correct? Should I clean out the joint and reapply a pliant watertite caulk or should I glass it in with cloth and resin?

 

[Larry S.]

Had same problen

I owned one of these boats for 13 years, the factory does not fair the keel to the hull very well, plus it's a cast iron keel. My solution was to have the keel sandblasted, and to do a complete fairing job at the keel joint, I used fiberglass filler, had the yard put on commercial grade rust proofing, then I coated the entire keel with west system epoxy. But every year I would still have a slight hairline crack at the front of the keel (about 6" on both sides) no way not to have this as you do get some flex when sailing. I just used some 5200 and repainted . Hope this helps, I will never own a boat with an iron keel again (although it was still my favorite boat). LAS

 

[Eric Steege]

Same Problem

I am having the same problem. Last season, I put quick seal using some pliable epoxy. This seems to have been adequate for last season, but I am now trying to figure out what I can do more permanently. I was considering sanding down the areas where the cracks are and applying epoxy and gelcoat. I don't understand the comments about sandblasting the keel and why the blame for the problem has anything to do with an iron keel. My keel is in relatively good shape, and I intend to just seal the cracks. BTW, I am in fresh water, so perhaps my keel is better of than those who are in salt water.I am interested in what you decide, so please keep me updated. I will let you know what I end up doing this season too.Regards,Eric SteegePerfect Union, '84 Hunter 31Bayport, MN

 

[Steve Larson]

What I decided

Decided to do a little of both. I groved out the joint and replaced any loose fiberglass with West system epoxy and filler. I then plan to go to pick up some pliant bedding compound at BoatUS and fill the crack. Where I knocked off the loose stuff I saw that the keel is rusted but other than at the top, the keel looks to be in good shape. Hopefully this will hold for a couple of years.

 

[Dean Strong]

5200 suggested by surveyor

I just bought a Hunter 30, and it had the same problem, which was noticed by the Marine Surveyor. The problem is so prevalent that he had a printed sheet he hands out on a regular basis. Basically he said it is common in ten plus years boats, and he recommended simply cleaning and calking the crack every year with 5200, and then painting over it. There will always be some flex and the joint, so glassing over it seems like a bad idea...it will always flex and crack, and glass in the area seems like it will just make a bigger mess...