Keel stub damage leaking

[BTC1984]

1984 Catalina 27. There was damage to the keel stub in the bilge area by the previous owner (PO) and it was repaired. There is rectangular cut out in the floor to complete that repair. The area in the photo is under the steps at the stern end of the boat. I have no idea how the boat was damaged or when the repair was completed by PO. I’ve owned the boat for 3 years. I had it inspected and the inspector noted the repaired area and said it looked fine. My bilge has always been bone dry. When I put the boat in this week I had a leak. You can see the crack in the photos. I filled the crack with JB weld. It worked to stop the leak. I plan to haul out next week. Question: 1. If it’s not leaking can I sail it for the summer as is with the repair I did? 2. When on the hard is this repairable ?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

A proper repair would be to remove and reglass the damaged area, not spreading a non-flexible epoxy putty all over it. Whoever did that is an idiot! As is the “inspector” who you said “it looked fine”.

 

[kloudie1]

Opinion: That crack is the result of striking something at a fair speed. The strike typically pushes up the aft end of the keel and cracks its support structure ..kinda what the pictures show. It looks like they attempted a fiberglass overlay of the crack but did not grind out he crack and rebuild the fiberglass layers.. Likely, the crack came through the patch as a result of the stresses on the keel . Your application of JB Weld stopped the water from coming through the crack but did not add any reinforcement to take the stress. In really benign conditions (motoring slowly in fairly calm conditions) The patch will probably be OK but stresses from sailing would probably crack the JB and water will come in again. Continued sailing will increase the crack size and you'll have more water ingress. This repair cannot be done in the water.. because it requires a dry patch area; yes it can be repaired. A large area will have to be ground out and multi layers of new glass and epoxy will be required.. it will then be good as new if properly done..
Structural Fiberglass Repair Part 1 | Boatworks Today
Bad news, I know ..

 

[jssailem]

With @Don S/V ILLusion.

@kloudie1 has shared the facts and the truth. Sitting in the marina or use when no stress is applied to the boat hull/keel then you may limit further damage to just water ingress. This will mean a dry out period once on the hard and then the type of repair Claude explained. The boat was not properly repaired before you bought it.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I should add to my previous comment - I would ask the surveyor who told you this looked good who his E&O insurance company is and seek reimbursement from them for repair cost.

It really aggravates me any time I see a surveyor who charges for a totally useless and negligent inspection.