Treatment for wing keel

[Don12480]

The lead wing keel on my 35.5 is getting a huge amount of growth on the bottom. It is very difficult to do a proper job on the bottom and this is likely the cause.
Any sugestions for the proper treatment of the keel. should it be sand blasted, epoxied and painted?

 

[Steve A.]

Not sure what you think the problem is. Is the lead keel clean and painted with bottom paint at the beginning of the season? What type of growth are you talking about (barnacles, slime, weed)? When I haul at the end of each season (I boat in Maine) I pressure wash the bottom. In the Spring (before launch) I lightly sand and apply a good anti-fouling paint. If you are down south and don't haul, I would recommend hauling, pressure washing, inspecting and applying a good anti-fouling paint. I think the forum need more specific info on your problem.

 

[duh!]

He said - bottom of "lead wing keel"

(nm)

 

[Manny]

Run 'er aground every once and a while

But seriously, a good scraping or sanding and some decent bottom paint should be okay. When you are getting splashed, ask the yard to leave the boat on the sling for a while to give you access to the underside of the keel. Maybe you can time it so they can lift the boat right before their lunch break. By the time they get back you'll be finished and they can splash it.

Manny

 

[sinnettc]

Corollary question re fin keel

I have a Capri 22 Fin Keel on a trailer that we lake sail. I have a similar question re painting the bottom of the keel.

I've got a setup to allow me to drop the pads on the trailer one at a time to paint under them. There aren't any marine railways or marinas with slings around here so how do I paint the bottom of the keel where it rests on the trailer?

Chris

 

[Bill]

I use Manny's System

I find that when I run it aground every once and a while the growth is greatly reduced. I've tried to sand it (thru the coating to the lead, the part you can get to). I've tried to paint it (1/2 of it is sitting on wood blocking, how well is this working). It seems the best is when I run aground. Keep in mind we have sand and mud, not so sure its such a good idea if you have rocks.

 

[Ken13559]

Wings bent

I ran aground on rocks ....twice ! Gave the barnacle some scare but it bent my wings pretty badly. Now if I were to run aground again, hope it is Sand.

 

[Maine Sail]

You could

I ran aground on rocks ....twice ! Gave the barnacle some scare but it bent my wings pretty badly. Now if I were to run aground again, hope it is Sand.

You you could also try this "Maine" method:

Seriously though if you boat yard is even half way decent they will crape and paint the keel bottom when she is in the slings just before launch. Mine does this at no extra charge!!

 

[Chris Burti]

Re: You could

I berth in shallow water here in the South and would add that where I am located, the bottom of the keel, rudder and prop all lose thier paint pronto and get growth immediately afterward.