My 1987 Hunter 34 has a problem where the hull meets the iron keel. Near the front of the keel is a crack that wraps around the front of the keel, and I'd like to repair it. So far I've been advised to tighten the keel bolts then grind out the old material and apply West System epoxy with fiberglass netting. I've looked around the marina and noticed this is a common problem for the 34's so figure some of you may have some good advice before I tackle this problem. Thanks, Mike
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Paul H
Try a Flexible Solution
I have the same 87 boat and saw the same problem when I bought it in 1997. The advice I got was to grind out a small vee, let it dry out and fill with a flexible material (3M 5200). I was told by the boat yard that there is always a small amount of flex between the rigid iron keel and the fiber glass hull in front of the keel bolt and any rigid filling material will always crack again. Five years later the 5200 is still in place still doing it's job.
I have the same 87 boat and saw the same problem when I bought it in 1997. The advice I got was to grind out a small vee, let it dry out and fill with a flexible material (3M 5200). I was told by the boat yard that there is always a small amount of flex between the rigid iron keel and the fiber glass hull in front of the keel bolt and any rigid filling material will always crack again. Five years later the 5200 is still in place still doing it's job.
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Carl
I have the same problem.
I have a 86 with the exact same problem. The fix will be this spring and just as you describe. The Keel bolts checked tighten if needed. The joint will be ground out, West system epoxy and fiberglass netting..That's the advice I received. This is a common problem with the 34 as I noticed 2 others with the same crack at the boatyard. Hopefully this will take care of it.
I have a 86 with the exact same problem. The fix will be this spring and just as you describe. The Keel bolts checked tighten if needed. The joint will be ground out, West system epoxy and fiberglass netting..That's the advice I received. This is a common problem with the 34 as I noticed 2 others with the same crack at the boatyard. Hopefully this will take care of it.
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Linda
You might want to investigate a little further
Paul/Mike Search the Forum archives for "update on leaking keel bolts" to read about our experience with this type of problem in a 37 Legend.
Paul/Mike Search the Forum archives for "update on leaking keel bolts" to read about our experience with this type of problem in a 37 Legend.
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John K Kudera
I Agree with Paul
My 84 34 had the same crack, we cleaned and sealed the crack with 5200 about 6 seasons ago, and when checking the bottom prior to painting last Saturday, the joint is still sealed.
My 84 34 had the same crack, we cleaned and sealed the crack with 5200 about 6 seasons ago, and when checking the bottom prior to painting last Saturday, the joint is still sealed.
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Fred Ficarra
I used SitkaFlex 11 years ago...Still good.
My 'crack' was a gap at the forward/top joint that everyone is referring to. (86 H34) I let it dry and filled and smoothed it with Sitkaflex. Choose a underwater polyurethane and you'll be fine. Fred
My 'crack' was a gap at the forward/top joint that everyone is referring to. (86 H34) I let it dry and filled and smoothed it with Sitkaflex. Choose a underwater polyurethane and you'll be fine. Fred
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Eric Swift
Crack
In buying my '83 Hunter 34 last spring the surveyor, who used to sell these boats and worked for the Hunter Dealer at that time, said that there are gaps between the keel and the hull on the leading and trailing edges of the keel. These are forward and aft of the flange on the keel through which the keel bolts attach. If you look carefully at the hull above the keel joint (near the leading and trailing edges) you will see where there is filler fairing the hull over the flanges. There is also filler at the top of the leading and trailing edges of the keel which fairs out the gap between the keel and hull. He stated that this is normal for all of this model boat and that if the filler comes loose it is simple to dig out and refill and that cracks at these places are not problematic and are cosmetic. He made no mention of tightening keel bolts.
In buying my '83 Hunter 34 last spring the surveyor, who used to sell these boats and worked for the Hunter Dealer at that time, said that there are gaps between the keel and the hull on the leading and trailing edges of the keel. These are forward and aft of the flange on the keel through which the keel bolts attach. If you look carefully at the hull above the keel joint (near the leading and trailing edges) you will see where there is filler fairing the hull over the flanges. There is also filler at the top of the leading and trailing edges of the keel which fairs out the gap between the keel and hull. He stated that this is normal for all of this model boat and that if the filler comes loose it is simple to dig out and refill and that cracks at these places are not problematic and are cosmetic. He made no mention of tightening keel bolts.
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Rusty
Pictures of a similar repair
Hi Mike,,, This is how made a similar repair last summer. I ground the entire nosing down to the fiberglass, after grinding a V into the opening, I also ground diagonal notches into the iron for the epoxy to get a solid grip. The whole nose was then faired with a waterproof bondo. Below is a link to my website which shows the before/after pix. If you any questions, feel free to ask. Rusty,,,
Hi Mike,,, This is how made a similar repair last summer. I ground the entire nosing down to the fiberglass, after grinding a V into the opening, I also ground diagonal notches into the iron for the epoxy to get a solid grip. The whole nose was then faired with a waterproof bondo. Below is a link to my website which shows the before/after pix. If you any questions, feel free to ask. Rusty,,,
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