Keel problems

[Al D.]

A recent survey indicated the "eventual" (which to me means ASAP) need to drop and reseat the keel on my 30 (Ugh!). Anyone with any ideas as to cost to have this done or general advice?

 

[Joe]

Be sure first

What you may have is the common Catalina Smile. There is no need to completly drop and reseat the keel if that is all it is. Be sure before you go to all that trouble and expense. Depending on the age of the boat all you may need to do is put a few lag bolts in place which Catalina sells for that purpose.

 

[James]

I doubt you need to drop the keel and have it rebedded. What prompted your surveyor to make that call?The technical support group at Catalina Yachts has a set of 6 drawings they can fax you detailing keel repairs.My Cat 30 had a crack on both sides of the keel where flexing of the years had broken the roving and knitted cloth layups. Upon grinding this material away, the underlying keel stub and bedding was dry and solid, with no evidence of damage. Relaminated using the factory's recommended schedule laying up knitted cloth and roving in MarineTex.Unless you have carbon steel keel bolts, and unless you have rot in the fatwood, I wouldn't even think of doing anything beyond repairing the hull to keel joint. And repairing damage to keel bolts or fatwood below the bilge doesn't require dropping the keel.Good luck,JamesS/V TesoriDana Point, CA