Keel Trunk Repairs

[Milton.Audas]

I know this has been posted many times but i can't find the posts, but I have found a couple of cracks in my keel trunk, on the port side (inside the forward seat locker). Cracks are a couple inches in length, and located at the forward upper area of the trunk (right in the corner), in front of the (cursed) keel lock.

Not sure how it happened. I haven't hit anything major. I grounded on a mound (an old bridge piling not on the chart !!) just outside our channel last year but it wasn't a 'clunk' impact, just a 'gentle' scraping to a halt. My slip apparently has a cable running from each pontoon which Ii scrape over when docking and has hung me up when pulling out a couple of times (slightly annoying that I have to raise the keel to exit my slip !).

Any advice on repairs, using the West System. I looked on their site and downloaded the manual but no mention of what to do in this area. Do I skive out the cracks and fill and apply reinforcing, or just fill with epoxy ? Do I need to open up the starboard side of the trunk (ie cut a hole on the side of the truck) ? If so, I had a thought to use a 4" hole saw and install a sealable access cover).

Is it safe to sail as is ? (ie wait until end of the season in a couple of months ???)

As usual, assistance much appreciated...

 

[watercolors II]

The forward upper area of the keel trunk is in the opposite position of the rear lower area that handles all the weight and stress of the keel and takes all the punishment of a grounding or hitting something when the keel drops back down after.

During or after sailing in conditions of taking waves or water over the bow check to see if leaking is present in that area. The forward upper area of the keel trunk is 6 to 12 inches above the waterline, so water would have to be forced up into that area to leak.

 

[Milton.Audas]

Thanks WC. I am taking some water in that compartment. The rest of the boat is dry. I had thought this was related to leaky seals around the gudgeons and/or thru-hulls but these have been checked and reseated, so I am assuming the water is being forced in through these cracks via capilliary action as you said. Not a lot of water after a full day of sailing but also no leaks when at rest in the slip. I probably need to repair these cracks properly. Just a question of when (now, as in 'urgent for safety and well being of boat and crew' or can wait until the end of the season). Either way, any advice as to the the correct procedure / approach would be appreciated.

 

[BVIBUM]

Search online for Dragon Tail Catalina 25. He has a nice write up on his keel trunk repair and photos. I have similar issues that need to be addressed.

 

[watercolors II]

Because this area of the keel trunk is not critical I would approach it with a band aid for now, such as; caulk, putty or duck tape. If this band aid stops the water infiltration for a short time then, in the off season a more serious repair needs to be made where you discovered the leak.