Lead Keel?

[dtaylor13484]

I have a 1972 Catalina with what looks like is an exposed lead keel. did this boat come with the lead keel glassed in or is the paint just so bad that it is peeling off? I just aquired this boat and I knew it was a project boat when I bought it. If the keel was glassed in i can get it reglassed or repained which ever it needs.thanks for any input.

 

[John Eastin S/V Jollygoo]

Mine too....

Our 1972 Catalina has the same thing and I noticed it when I recently pulled it to do the bottom painting. I cleaned it and then simply painted it which is what the guys at the boatyard told me to do. Took the paint just fine.

 

[Bob Camarena]

Maybe some fairing compound

You'll probably also find that there's a bit of fairing compound that smooths out the rough spots and imperfections. You also might want to search the archives of this site to research the "Catalina Smile" which is the crack that commonly develops where the lead keel joins the bottom of the hull.