I like the sail plan and the design of the Hunter 34 but I do not want a boat with an iron keel. What model and what year must I look at in order to get a lead keel? Thanks for the reply. Jim
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What is wrong with an iron keel?
Jim: There are many manufacters that that still use iron keels. If you get them preped and properly sealed you will not have any problems with them. If you do nothing to the keel it will still last longer than the fiberglass! I have to agree that this layout and design is very nice and the boats are available at a very attractive price.
Jim: There are many manufacters that that still use iron keels. If you get them preped and properly sealed you will not have any problems with them. If you do nothing to the keel it will still last longer than the fiberglass! I have to agree that this layout and design is very nice and the boats are available at a very attractive price.
Steve is absolutely right. Preparation and sealing would make all the difference. It is true that with a lead keel you will never see any rust again. All the wing keel boats have lead keels, 33.5, 35.5, 37.5. The price for these boats will be higher than the 34. You could always consider buying and installing a lead keel on a 34.
Lead on 33.5?
Alan, We have a 1990 33.5 wing keel that has rust. If it were lead, I don't think I would have rust. *o I believe the only way to properly treat the keel is to sandblast it and immediately coat with epoxy, then bottom paint. Right? Thanks.. Ken
Alan, We have a 1990 33.5 wing keel that has rust. If it were lead, I don't think I would have rust. *o I believe the only way to properly treat the keel is to sandblast it and immediately coat with epoxy, then bottom paint. Right? Thanks.. Ken
Keel
All of the h34 vessels built between 1983 and 1987 had iron keels. They are good coastal cruisers and good value for the price. It takes a long time for 5000 lbs of steel to rust away so forget it and go sailing
All of the h34 vessels built between 1983 and 1987 had iron keels. They are good coastal cruisers and good value for the price. It takes a long time for 5000 lbs of steel to rust away so forget it and go sailing
Legend Series Has Lead Keels
The Legend series, at least from the 35 up (don't know about the smaller models), all have lead keels. The HL series followed the 34, 40, etc. Another difference was the Legend series (35, 37, etc.) also had "plastic" holding tanks which don't corrode - another plus. The x.5 series which also, I think, used the Legend name, went back to metal waste tanks. Tried to buy a 34 when they were new but was a bit late and settled for the HL-35 instead. The salon table on the 34 makde an excellent chart table. Check the information section on this web site under"Boat Info"/"Model Information" and that should help. http://www.sailboatowners.com/boats/index.tpl?fno=0
The Legend series, at least from the 35 up (don't know about the smaller models), all have lead keels. The HL series followed the 34, 40, etc. Another difference was the Legend series (35, 37, etc.) also had "plastic" holding tanks which don't corrode - another plus. The x.5 series which also, I think, used the Legend name, went back to metal waste tanks. Tried to buy a 34 when they were new but was a bit late and settled for the HL-35 instead. The salon table on the 34 makde an excellent chart table. Check the information section on this web site under"Boat Info"/"Model Information" and that should help. http://www.sailboatowners.com/boats/index.tpl?fno=0
lead in her keel
My 1988 H33.5 has a cast iron keel, as did my 1986 H28.5. I haven't had much trouble with rust, but she's in fresh water. The bigger problem is the keel/hull joint, which is common to both cast and lead keels.
My 1988 H33.5 has a cast iron keel, as did my 1986 H28.5. I haven't had much trouble with rust, but she's in fresh water. The bigger problem is the keel/hull joint, which is common to both cast and lead keels.
the keel is there to stay
i agree that a cast iron keel should not be feared too much. last summer while motoring around a point near the 12' contour, our keel must have skipped over a monsterous sized boulder, as big as a volkswagon. it lifted the stern, and my friend at the helm 5' in the air, and scared the hell out of both of us. no leaks were found, so we felt lucky. let me tell you, we never went back there! during haul out time we couldn't even find a dent! i think we lost 2 ozs. of iron. if it was a lead keel, a trip to the foundry for 50 lbs. of the stuff might be needed, as for the rust i just sand, and wire brush the keel, than put thinned out bottom paint for the first coat to fill in all the nooks, and crannys, then another heavy coat to finish it off. thats all! after 22 years , it still looks like a new pair of shoes.
i agree that a cast iron keel should not be feared too much. last summer while motoring around a point near the 12' contour, our keel must have skipped over a monsterous sized boulder, as big as a volkswagon. it lifted the stern, and my friend at the helm 5' in the air, and scared the hell out of both of us. no leaks were found, so we felt lucky. let me tell you, we never went back there! during haul out time we couldn't even find a dent! i think we lost 2 ozs. of iron. if it was a lead keel, a trip to the foundry for 50 lbs. of the stuff might be needed, as for the rust i just sand, and wire brush the keel, than put thinned out bottom paint for the first coat to fill in all the nooks, and crannys, then another heavy coat to finish it off. thats all! after 22 years , it still looks like a new pair of shoes.
Iron Keel
Sometimes people have too much time to worry about things. The iron keel on my 34' shows a little rust, but it will be serviceable for another 25 years. The 34' is a great boat.
Sometimes people have too much time to worry about things. The iron keel on my 34' shows a little rust, but it will be serviceable for another 25 years. The 34' is a great boat.
Light'n up Debra B
It was a JOKE!
....and it appears you didn't get it. 100lbs of lead and iron and cork, do weigh exactly the same. Of course the displacement is different for each. That's due to specific gravity(density). When I had my keel replaced with a different design, we used the same 'weight' as the original design. It gave far better sailing characteristics without increasing overall displacement.
It was a JOKE!
....and it appears you didn't get it. 100lbs of lead and iron and cork, do weigh exactly the same. Of course the displacement is different for each. That's due to specific gravity(density). When I had my keel replaced with a different design, we used the same 'weight' as the original design. It gave far better sailing characteristics without increasing overall displacement.Pack That Crack!
Don't worry about the rust crack/joint. You can wire brush it and Pack it full of 5200 then pile on the bottom paint. No big deal. Lead or cast? Who cares? Lead is soft and I've seen several lead keel boats with some nasty keel damage. Cast Iron rusts.... As long as it floats, sail it! Hey, be careful about hitting big Rocks... you're lucky you were in a Hunter. I've seen several hummmm... other brands (Made in Marion SC) that were totalled but whacking something under water.
Don't worry about the rust crack/joint. You can wire brush it and Pack it full of 5200 then pile on the bottom paint. No big deal. Lead or cast? Who cares? Lead is soft and I've seen several lead keel boats with some nasty keel damage. Cast Iron rusts.... As long as it floats, sail it! Hey, be careful about hitting big Rocks... you're lucky you were in a Hunter. I've seen several hummmm... other brands (Made in Marion SC) that were totalled but whacking something under water.
Bigger problem than rust
After launching our 1990 H33.5 on Monday, the bilge filled with water by Tuesday. I am very lucky I checked the boat early because the pump hose had become detached and no water was being pumped out. The problem turned out to be water leaking in at the aft 2 keel bolts. These bolts are hidden from a normal inspection by the flooring which is screwed onto the floor pan. I called Hunter and got excellent advise from Al and Don. The advice given to me by the marina was about the same with added things to do and also possible lots more money. Since I would have to have the boat hauled and wait a couple weeks for the marina to get to it, I decided to check the nuts for tightness. I discovered the smaller, last bolt to be pretty loose. After taking the nut and backing plate off and opening up the area around the bolt, I put it back together packing with Life Caulk. I also had to apply some Life Caulk to the rear of the large blob of putty that Hunter used in the rear well. The leaking stopped immediately. I plan on watching this very closely and take her out for a sail, putting pressure on the keel. Hopefully all will hold until my next scheduled haul-out in the fall when I can do the job right. Hunter said the keel bolts should be checked twice a year, something that is printed in the newer Hunter manuals.
After launching our 1990 H33.5 on Monday, the bilge filled with water by Tuesday. I am very lucky I checked the boat early because the pump hose had become detached and no water was being pumped out. The problem turned out to be water leaking in at the aft 2 keel bolts. These bolts are hidden from a normal inspection by the flooring which is screwed onto the floor pan. I called Hunter and got excellent advise from Al and Don. The advice given to me by the marina was about the same with added things to do and also possible lots more money. Since I would have to have the boat hauled and wait a couple weeks for the marina to get to it, I decided to check the nuts for tightness. I discovered the smaller, last bolt to be pretty loose. After taking the nut and backing plate off and opening up the area around the bolt, I put it back together packing with Life Caulk. I also had to apply some Life Caulk to the rear of the large blob of putty that Hunter used in the rear well. The leaking stopped immediately. I plan on watching this very closely and take her out for a sail, putting pressure on the keel. Hopefully all will hold until my next scheduled haul-out in the fall when I can do the job right. Hunter said the keel bolts should be checked twice a year, something that is printed in the newer Hunter manuals.
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