keel query

[David Eggler]

My 1976 Hunter 27 developed leakage around the three aftmost keel bolts this past year. I tightened the nuts but it did not solve the leakage problem. When the yard pulled the boat in the fall, they noticed that there was a gap of 1/2" to 3/4" between the aft part of the keel and the hull. The forward part of the keel was snug to the hull. I cut out the floor and noticed that the two aft stringers are cracked and soft from bilge water damage. I plan to replace these stringers and add a couple layers of roving to strengthen this area. My goal is to strenghten the area and fix the leakage problem. Can this be done without removing the 3,300 pound keel. Removal of the keel would turn a relatively simple job into a difficult one. However, I want to fix the problem correctly and I want to fix it once. Has anyone out there experienced a similar problem. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Alan J]

KEEL REPAIR

My prior boat was a columbia and it developed a keel bolt leak. I repaired it when the boat was on stantions and i loosened all of the bolts. When I did this the keel fell maybee 3/8" and I was able to clean all of th3e bedding compounds out between the keet and the fiberglass. I did not take the nuts off completely. Once I had it cleaned out, I filled the area with 3M 5200 and tightened the nuts, which pulled the keel back up and pulled the fiberglass hull down. Two day later I sanded the 3M 5200 that squeezed out with a 80 grit sanded and it lasted many years. Once you take the sension off of the bolts, it will easily stay in a vertical position so you can do any repairs