Hi Folks,I am looking for some insight into a spot of rust on the exterior surface of the keel. Here is a photo of the rust:http://s885.photobucket.com/user/mat_per/media/Keel_Rust.jpg.htmlThe boat is a 1975 Vega and what looks like rust has bled through in one area of the keel. Is this something that anyone else has experienced? Would it be worth sanding down to find the cause or would a coat of bottom paint and forgetting about it be a better course of action?Many thanks,Matias
Vega keel rust
- Thread starter mat_per99
- Start date
Hi Matias,Looking at the photo, the first thing that comes to mind, is that the ballast in the keel is rusting. Maybe a piece of iron, steel plate, low grade Stainless Steel , something of this matter. The other maybe is old fuel which might have found a small hole inside the keel and has worked its way to the surface. Matias, how close is this rust stain to your keel drain plug? I have my boat pulled down to the hull, and right by the drain plug is a small rust color, which I am sure was from the old fuel. LarryV-2761 Sent from Windows MailFrom: Perret, Matias NSent: ?Wednesday?, ?March? ?26?, ?2014 ?4?:?29? ?PMTo: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Hi Folks,I am looking for some insight into a spot of rust on the exterior surface of the keel. Here is a photo of the rust:http://s885.photobucket.com/user/mat_per/media/Keel_Rust.jpg.htmlThe boat is a 1975 Vega and what looks like rust has bled through in one area of the keel. Is this something that anyone else has experienced? Would it be worth sanding down to find the cause or would a coat of bottom paint and forgetting about it be a better course of action?Many thanks,Matias
Hi Folks,I am looking for some insight into a spot of rust on the exterior surface of the keel. Here is a photo of the rust:http://s885.photobucket.com/user/mat_per/media/Keel_Rust.jpg.htmlThe boat is a 1975 Vega and what looks like rust has bled through in one area of the keel. Is this something that anyone else has experienced? Would it be worth sanding down to find the cause or would a coat of bottom paint and forgetting about it be a better course of action?Many thanks,Matias
I'd guess that there is a crack in the fiberglas or a poor repair in that area that is allowing water in, rusting the iron in the ballast. If it were my boat, I'd sand it down to gelcoat and check it out.Since the forward section of the keel is iron and lead encapsulated in resin, I don't think the boat will sink if you do nothing, but it may continue to rust and expand the iron if not sealed. Tim
Tim makes a good suggestion. I saw in the photo what might be a little crack, but it is hard to tell from the photo. If so, then sand down the area and do a little glassing ( and feather it in). Also, as Tim said, Iron Oxide will expand, but it weighs more than plain iron, so you won't have to worry about losing any ballast weight. Just keep the water out. Do you have any seepage from the area now that you are on the hard? That should tell you a lot.
If you do add a fiberglass patch use Vinylester resin to apply it as it works best. And I might even consider a little epoxy barrier coat just to be safe.
If you do add a fiberglass patch use Vinylester resin to apply it as it works best. And I might even consider a little epoxy barrier coat just to be safe.
Hi LarryDo all Vegas have a drain plug and exactly where is it? I'd like to check mine before I put her back in the water if possible. RegardsSheila. (Liza 634)Sent from the iPad of Sheila King
Hi Sheila,My drain is on the starboard side, about 2’-0” forward of the rudder. Larry Sent from Windows MailFrom: Sheila KingSent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 4:27 AMTo: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Hi LarryDo all Vegas have a drain plug and exactly where is it? I\'d like to check mine before I put her back in the water if possible. RegardsSheila. (Liza 634)Sent from the iPad of Sheila King
Hi LarryDo all Vegas have a drain plug and exactly where is it? I\'d like to check mine before I put her back in the water if possible. RegardsSheila. (Liza 634)Sent from the iPad of Sheila King
Here may be a possibility and I don't know this for sure. Likely the
fiber glass is porus somehow and water or moisture has gotten in to
the cast iron ballast and it has rusted. I would drill one maybe
1/2 diameter hole and a 1/4 in hole higher up I would hook up a
small air compressor and blow air through if you can for a couple
days in the hope of blowing water or dampness out. There is a
product called Ospho it changes rust into black oxide ( supposedly)
It seems to work as Auto body guys use it to stop rust in autobody
parts before repainting old cars. Black oxide is a natural rust
preventive I have black oxidzed many tools to prevent rust from the
handling of tools. It does work! I would sugest calling Ospho's
technical department and see what they say. This I am sure of, you
have to get the moisture out or keep more from entering. For metal
to rust Oxygen is required, if you can get the water out that
contains oxegen and the then pump oil in you might stop it. The
theory would be that the oil would fill the cavity and no air or
water can get in there can be no further rusting. The has to be
oxegin for rusting. IF a little moisture was still in there the
rusting process would use up all the oxegin in the water and no new
rust could form. One of these process should work, but not both.
fiber glass is porus somehow and water or moisture has gotten in to
the cast iron ballast and it has rusted. I would drill one maybe
1/2 diameter hole and a 1/4 in hole higher up I would hook up a
small air compressor and blow air through if you can for a couple
days in the hope of blowing water or dampness out. There is a
product called Ospho it changes rust into black oxide ( supposedly)
It seems to work as Auto body guys use it to stop rust in autobody
parts before repainting old cars. Black oxide is a natural rust
preventive I have black oxidzed many tools to prevent rust from the
handling of tools. It does work! I would sugest calling Ospho's
technical department and see what they say. This I am sure of, you
have to get the moisture out or keep more from entering. For metal
to rust Oxygen is required, if you can get the water out that
contains oxegen and the then pump oil in you might stop it. The
theory would be that the oil would fill the cavity and no air or
water can get in there can be no further rusting. The has to be
oxegin for rusting. IF a little moisture was still in there the
rusting process would use up all the oxegin in the water and no new
rust could form. One of these process should work, but not both.
Wow, my vega doesn't have one of those. Maybe someone plugged it up. ThanksSheilaSent from the iPad of Sheila King
Mine has one but I can't remember which side it's on. I have never
seen a sailboat without one. The intention is to take it out if you
store your boat on land during the winter. If water can stand in the
builge and freeze the ice can expand and crack the hull. Mabe? IF
you can't find it on the ouside someone may hac ve glassed over it.
I would look for it in the inside of the bilge. IF you mever store
out of the water you don't need it. But if you are in the north you
need to be able to remove it.
--
Doug Pollard
Albin Vega Sea Legs 2225
KK4YGO
On 03/27/2014 07:35 PM, Sheila King
wrote:
seen a sailboat without one. The intention is to take it out if you
store your boat on land during the winter. If water can stand in the
builge and freeze the ice can expand and crack the hull. Mabe? IF
you can't find it on the ouside someone may hac ve glassed over it.
I would look for it in the inside of the bilge. IF you mever store
out of the water you don't need it. But if you are in the north you
need to be able to remove it.
--
Doug Pollard
Albin Vega Sea Legs 2225
KK4YGO
On 03/27/2014 07:35 PM, Sheila King
wrote:
Series II and III have the drain plug on the
starboard side about 6 inches forward of the rudder shoe and about two inches
up. Series I is different....
Steve B
From: Douglas Pollard
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 11:48 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Vega keel rust
Mine has one but I can't remember which side it's on. I have never seen
a sailboat without one. The intention is to take it out if you store your boat
on land during the winter. If water can stand in the builge and freeze the
ice can expand and crack the hull. Mabe? IF you can't find it on the
ouside someone may hac ve glassed over it. I would look for it in the inside of
the bilge. IF you mever store out of the water you don't need it. But if
you are in the north you need to be able to remove it. --
Doug Pollard
Albin Vega Sea Legs 2225
KK4YGO
starboard side about 6 inches forward of the rudder shoe and about two inches
up. Series I is different....
Steve B
From: Douglas Pollard
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 11:48 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Vega keel rust
Mine has one but I can't remember which side it's on. I have never seen
a sailboat without one. The intention is to take it out if you store your boat
on land during the winter. If water can stand in the builge and freeze the
ice can expand and crack the hull. Mabe? IF you can't find it on the
ouside someone may hac ve glassed over it. I would look for it in the inside of
the bilge. IF you mever store out of the water you don't need it. But if
you are in the north you need to be able to remove it. --
Doug Pollard
Albin Vega Sea Legs 2225
KK4YGO
My Mk1 (V752) had two drain plugs on the port side.The upper plug is at the bottom of the bilge, so a couple of feet above the keel..The lower plug appeared to drain a void in the keel that wasn't connected to the bilge; I had her surveyed and the 'void' was full of water. The recommendation was to drain and glass over the drain - which I did around 20 years ago, and replaced the bilge drain at the same time. Alisdair
My Vega has the same arrangement as Alisdair's and I haven't yet opened the bottom one to see what falls out. To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.comFrom: yahoo@...Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:09:18 +0000Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Vega keel rust
My Mk1 (V752) had two drain plugs on the port side.The upper plug is at the bottom of the bilge, so a couple of feet above the keel..The lower plug appeared to drain a void in the keel that wasn't connected to the bilge; I had her surveyed and the 'void' was full of water. The recommendation was to drain and glass over the drain - which I did around 20 years ago, and replaced the bilge drain at the same time. Alisdair
My Mk1 (V752) had two drain plugs on the port side.The upper plug is at the bottom of the bilge, so a couple of feet above the keel..The lower plug appeared to drain a void in the keel that wasn't connected to the bilge; I had her surveyed and the 'void' was full of water. The recommendation was to drain and glass over the drain - which I did around 20 years ago, and replaced the bilge drain at the same time. Alisdair
Thanks Doug. Liza is out of the water now and has been refitted which took more time and money than I had intended but worth it, I hope. I will check inside the bilge tomorrow morning again. I bought a new Yanmar 2YM15 14 hp Diesel engine and had to grind down the old mounts to fit it. Still having trouble lining up the drive shaft. I live in Barbados and want to sail to the Bequia Easter Regatta and then off to the grenadines for a couple of weeks. I read your chats all he time and have used some good information to help with my refit. Can't wait to post some pics if I can figure out how to. RegardsSheilaSent from the iPad of Sheila King
Well Sheila, I certainly envy you and am looking forward to some
pictures. We spent a lot of years south and loved it. This winter
has nearly frozen us to death. Still it may have worked in my
behalf. I think we had about forgotten how miserable it can be up
here and are both looking forward to getting away.Good luck with
with the engine installation. If you have never lined up a shaft
befor you might do well to gut a pro to do it. Watch close though so
you will know how. I have to tell you there is nothing sweeter than
a smooooth run shaft and it can really cause trouble if it isn't. Of
course you know your abilities there. Your gonna love that little
yanmar. Know this though, if the wheel turns out to be too big or
have too much pitch causing the engine to smoke soot, you can ruin
the engine in a short time. So good luck, fair winds and all the
blessings of a fine little boat and fine sailing.
--
Doug Pollard
Albin Vega Sea Legs 2225
KK4YGO
On 03/27/2014 08:53 PM, Sheila King
wrote:
pictures. We spent a lot of years south and loved it. This winter
has nearly frozen us to death. Still it may have worked in my
behalf. I think we had about forgotten how miserable it can be up
here and are both looking forward to getting away.Good luck with
with the engine installation. If you have never lined up a shaft
befor you might do well to gut a pro to do it. Watch close though so
you will know how. I have to tell you there is nothing sweeter than
a smooooth run shaft and it can really cause trouble if it isn't. Of
course you know your abilities there. Your gonna love that little
yanmar. Know this though, if the wheel turns out to be too big or
have too much pitch causing the engine to smoke soot, you can ruin
the engine in a short time. So good luck, fair winds and all the
blessings of a fine little boat and fine sailing.
--
Doug Pollard
Albin Vega Sea Legs 2225
KK4YGO
On 03/27/2014 08:53 PM, Sheila King
wrote:
Thanks Doug I do have the best marine mechanic on the island and a retired English engineer working on it. The guys that sailed her over from Europe had installed a small BMW engine which quit and her previous owner here in Barbados pulled it out and hung an eight hp outboard on her. I was unable to lower it by myself so decided to order a good dependable new engine. Unfortunately they added three and a half inches to the engine bed to accommodate the little BMW and we had to grind it down and rebuild to fit the Yanmar. Hopefully today will be success and we can give it a test start. Will keep you postedRegardsSheilaSent from the iPad of Sheila King
Ms King, unless you are a mechanic or have one in your family, get a pro to do the work on your engine & shaft, or at least go over what you've done, whatever the cost. It always costs more than any if us wants but this is not the time to try to save $. If you are really in an emergency & you really have need of an an engine, it had better work properly & Douglas is right, poor alignment can cause a lot of damage as well as be very irritating.from myphone nn
Sorry, the statement “The lower plug appeared to drain a void in the keel..” is perhaps a little misleading.There was an obvious roughly square damp area .. when drilled, several litres of (very) smelly liquid poured out. I’m not concerned about seepage freezing when ashore – a small amount of seepage will expand into the void, and a lot of liquid will manifest itself as an obvious damp area. The fibreglass is very thin in that area, so will probably expand; if It is breached I’m only back to square one, without affecting hull integrity. Alisdair From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Carl CavannahSent: 28 March 2014 00:11To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.comSubject: RE: [AlbinVega] Vega keel rust My Vega has the same arrangement as Alisdair's and I haven't yet opened the bottom one to see what falls out. To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.comFrom: yahoo@...Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:09:18 +0000Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Vega keel rust My Mk1 (V752) had two drain plugs on the port side. The upper plug is at the bottom of the bilge, so a couple of feet above the keel.. The lower plug appeared to drain a void in the keel that wasn't connected to the bilge; I had her surveyed and the 'void' was full of water. The recommendation was to drain and glass over the drain - which I did around 20 years ago, and replaced the bilge drain at the same time. Alisdair
Thanks all,I found a small round bump on the port side covered by many layers of paint. It's about 4 inches from the bottom of the keel just behind the rudder. It may be the plug. I do have a great mechanic, and a retired engineer working on it. We started the engine yesterday. What a sweet sound! Now to get all the parts back on in time for me to sail off to Bequia, April 16th for the Easter Regatta. Sent from the iPad of Sheila King