Rusting Keel

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Nov 2, 2004
3
- - Baltimore, Md.
My boat (1989 Hunter 37'6" Legend) was pulled last week for bottom painting and we discovered rust on the shoaled keel. My guy is quoting me $3500 to sandblast, etch, and barrier coat. Does this seem like a reasonable price for the work? Thanks for any advice.
 
C

Carl

In line

Price appears to be in line. In December 2003 I had our 1987 h40 #217 soda blasted and the keel primed. When the yard did the blasting they discovered a few blisters just beginning to form. They repaired them as well. Total cost for THAT work was around $2000. I then applied the barrier coat and ablative bottom paint. I applied seven gal of Interprotect 2000E (Interlux recommendation to get 0.010 to 0.012 thickness) and four gal of bottom paint. Just the materials were another $1000. Check out www.hsa1.org and www.nshsa.org. They are clubs of Hunter owners in your area. Joining a Hunter Owners Association gives you a lot of resources to answer questions like the one you just posed. Hope to see you on the water.
 
B

Bill O'Donovan

It's only a keel

I suggest instead you grind it yourself and seal it with two coats of Interlux. It's not fiberglass, fer pete's sake. Once you seal it it shouldn't rust anymore.
 
D

Don

Same Problem 1992 -35.5

I have the same problem, I can't figure out how the lead rusts as it is not supposed to. It also looks like a huge job particularily getting at the bottom of the keel. If anyone has done it themselves any advice on tools or techniques.
 
S

Steve O.

Don: It's cast iron

That's why it's rusting. It's a common problem but it's pretty easy to fix.
 
D

Don

specs say lead

Steve, All the specs say it is lead- the web site material and the listing info say lead, which was confirmed by the surveyor so I believe them. They seem to be more blisters than rust but they still need to be ground out sealed and painted I think.
 
Dec 5, 2003
13
- - Burlington
Done it often

I usually have a few rusty scuffs to patch up each year. I just grind them down and paint over them, prob do the whole job in under an hour. OK I have to do it most years but sure beats paying our 3Gs.
 
Dec 3, 2003
544
None None Rochester, NY
Sister boat 33.5 is iron

I called Hunter Marine the other day and asked about the keel material for my 1990 33.5. They confirmed it is iron and will rust.
 
D

Don

confirmed -Keel is lead

Confirmed with Hunter the keel on the 35.5 is lead. The problems could be impurities in the lead or fairing material the manufacturer used to smooth out rough spots. Solution is to sand or grind them out fill with West epoxy and repaint.
 
Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
I have...

... a Hunter 28.5 with an iron keel. Some people go to extremes to control rust, others are more minimalist. I have found that maintaining the keel is no big deal. Check the archives as there is lots of info there. In sum, grind or sand it yourself. Use a grinder, wire wheel, coarse grit disks, or whatever is handy. I wouldn't bother trying to get the whole keel down to bare, shiny, metal and barrier coating. Rather, knock off as much rust as you can, coat it with POR-15, and then bottom paint it and then go sailing. On my boat, this is an annual affair that takes less than an hour. You've got better things to spend $3500 on....
 
Nov 2, 2004
3
- - Baltimore, Md.
It's Iron

It's an iron keel.... thanks to everyone for the advice. I'm going ahead with the work at a lower cost based on other work I'm getting done. A package deal to get everything up to spec. I'm a live aboard, so I just chalk these things up to the lifestyle cost. Thanks again and happy sailing.
 
D

Dick Carey

POR-15 Identity - Re Rusting Keel

Warren, You mentioned using POR-15 prior to antifouling paint on rusting Iron keels. What is the full identity of POR-15? I tried looking in the Defender, West Marine, & Boaters World catalogs this morning and cant find it. I have the same problem of some rust on my iron bulb wing keel. I have in the past used Pettit Rust-Lok and then their Trinidad SR. Maybe POR-15 in between these would be better. I would appreciate your come back. Thanks.
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
POR-15 Identity - Re Rusting Keel

You can order this stuff throught their web site or call 800 457 6715
 
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