Oday 28 keel cracks

[Bob]

I posted during the summer that I had a mysterious leak in my boat that turned out to be a crack in the fiberglass shell of the internally ballasted keel on my O28. While the boat was in the water I plugged the hole with underwater epoxt and that got me through the summer.Now that I am out for the winter I have had a chance to take a closer look at the problem. I actually have cracks at the front and back of the keel, at the juncture with the hull. Naturally I'd like to fix this before launch date.Has anyone else had to deal with this problem? I would appreciate any advice on the steps to repair these cracks.Thanks, and Happy Holidays.Only five months 'till sailing season. *cryBobs/v Simple DreamsChicago

 

[Mike]

Yikes

Bob:Yowsa! A leak at the keel to hull parting line! I gotta think that this one may need a little professional help or at least have a qualified surveyor look at it. Is this even fixable with simple fiberglass?Let me know what happens as I too have a 28 O'day.Regards,MikeS/B Pitterpat, Lake Huron

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.com]

Careful inspection needed

HI Bob -I suppose it goes without saying that you'll want to carefully inspect the entire keel to hull joint. You might get away with tightening the keel bolts and filling the cracks, but it's possible you'll end up removing the keel entirely to see what's going on. Can you post some photos? Mike had good advice to seek more than one expert opinion before proceeding.Best of luck,Trevor

 

[Bob]

Clairification

I agree with you guys, this does need to be approached very carefully and I am going to have the yard look at it. One point to clairify - there is no keel to hull joint on an Oday 28, at least for some production years. My boat is a 1980 model. The keel is molded with the rest of the hull, then filled internally and sealed over the top. So, no joint, no bolts. I found this out when I called Rudy to ask him where the bolts were, because I was going to try what Trevor suggested.Structurally the keel is sound, but I want to stop these cracks before they migrate any further, and fill them to stop the leaks.Bob

 

[Ron Deck]

Keel cracks

I had the same problem with my O 22. The fix was to grind the area with the cracks down, then build up with epoxy resin,cloth and roving. Get a copy of "This Old Boat" for the procedure. It was not dificult,you can complete it in a day or two. Hope this helps....Ron.

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Hi Bob!!

What did Rudy say if anything about your situation?? Did he give any indication that this was a critical problem?By the way, Merry Christmas!"Suspicion"