Keel troubles

[Rodney Sheaffer]

I have been having troubles with my keel on my 1979 oday 28. I get cracks in the bow and stern ends of my keel. I have seen other odays 1980 to 86 have big fillets in the keel but mine do not. I feel that this is my problem. I have ground out the cracks. on the bow end it went clear into the bilge. Know I have a glassing job ahead of me. I am going to Glass in fillets into the keel. Anybody run into this problem.

 

[Dave K, O'day 192 #313]

I'd do some research

I have no personal experience with a boat the size of yours but I think the cracks could be evidence of relative motion between the keel and hull where there should be none. I would suggest investigating the bolted joint and the integrity of the bedding between the two parts.I have read that some Catalina models had marine plywood "cored" into the area where the keel is attached to strengthen it but after many years to plywood would rot and soften allowing the joint to flex and show cracks like you have described. It is inappropriately called "the Catalina smile". I have no idea how the O'day 28 is constructed, I mention this only because the symptoms are similar and it suggests that the ballast keel may not be securely mounted to the boat anymore. I can imagine few problems more horrific to a sailor than dropping one's ballast to the bottom, leaving gaping holes in the bottom of the boat where the bolts were.

 

[Rodney Sheaffer]

The keel has no keel bolts. It is molded into the hall.

 

[Dave K, O'day 192 #313]

Apologies

I'm sorry for the confusion. It looks like my remarks aren't applicable to the design of your boat.If I understand you correctly then, the fin keel is molded integral with the hull and the ballast is placed inside. I shouldn't be surprised, since that't the way the shoal keel on my 192 is made.I guess the sad part of this revealation is that the cracks you described are therefore in the hull structure itself, rather than a joint between two separate pieces. Best of luck with the repair!