One of the partners on the boat hit a submerged object about 5 months ago. It was immediately patched using a temporary underwater epoxy. I am going to haul out the boat and re-paint the bottom and repair the ding. My question is how do I fix the ding? It's about 1" X 1\2". It is a 2002 Catalina 350. Thanks for any help. I'll probably haul her out up at PSL and if not, Ventura.
Leading edge Keel ding
- Thread starter bertram
- Start date
Grind the damaged area until you get clean bright metal. Immediately, or as soon as practical, apply Marine Tex or West System epoxy resin thickened with 406 colloidal silica. If any bare metal is exposed after sanding the filler, protect the metal with multiple coats of a moisture barrier coating like Interlux Interprotect 2000E. Then bottom paint as usual.
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It the hit was that hard you really need to get a structural inspection. The grid that supports the keel bolts could be damaged. This was essentially what happen to the British boat that lost its keel a couple years back, the Reeki Contiki. Contact some local surveyors to where you haul the boat and tell them what you are looking for, be very specific you want a structural survey.
Also check your keel bolt torques. I don't known the specs for the 350. So contact Catalina and ask them. This will likely require tools you don't have. Many have to have them made by a machinist.
If you hit something hard enough to damage the leading edge that bad, it's a cause for a significant response on a bolt on keel boat.
Good luck.
Also check your keel bolt torques. I don't known the specs for the 350. So contact Catalina and ask them. This will likely require tools you don't have. Many have to have them made by a machinist.
If you hit something hard enough to damage the leading edge that bad, it's a cause for a significant response on a bolt on keel boat.
Good luck.