Wing keel

duality · May 7, 2010

i have had a 400 for a little over 2 years and still associate with the original owner. i can report no keel problems. you may want to ask your question on

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Catalina400/

there are many knowledgeable owners of 400 that will provide quick response!.

great boat, good luck

mike

shemandr · May 7, 2010

Keel fairings are subject to periodic repair. Like it or not keels swing, fiberglass deforms and fairings don't always deform the same amount. There's also groundings. It doesn't mean there's a structural flaw. A hard grounding, on a particular boat, as evidenced by fairing cracks or even fiberglass cracks (Look at the hull in front of the keel) is a subject of interest for your surveyor.

rpwillia · May 7, 2010

Catalina Smile

Isn't that what they used to call the Catalina Smile on the old 30's? Never had that problem on my 310 FWIW.

sailingdog · May 8, 2010

If you've got serious questions about the boat, I would recommend that you contact CRUISINGDAD on Sailnet's forums or anything-sailing.com. He is the technical editor for the Catalina Mainsheet newsletter on the Catalina 400 and owns one. He can probably address any issues or concerns you might have about the boat.

swttooth said:
I'm considering a new Catalina 400. There's one on its cradle wintering next to us that had a problem with the fairings of its wing keel and had to be worked. I was told by the marina operator that its a rare problem. But I'm wondering if this happens to the 400 frequently enough for me to reconsider. If there are any 400 owners out there that can assuage my feelings, I'd appreciate a response.
Dr. Marshall Cossman
swttooth33@yahoo.com

RON20406 · May 8, 2010

wing keel delamination

swttooth said:
I'm considering a new Catalina 400. There's one on its cradle wintering next to us that had a problem with the fairings of its wing keel and had to be worked. I was told by the marina operator that its a rare problem. But I'm wondering if this happens to the 400 frequently enough for me to reconsider. If there are any 400 owners out there that can assuage my feelings, I'd appreciate a response.
Dr. Marshall Cossman
swttooth33@yahoo.com

The problem is fairly common and is primarily caused by improper etching of the lead/iron before application of the fairing compound. To repair, remove the delaminated material, grind/feather the edges with 80 grit back to clean adhesion, re-etch the metal and refair the keel. I would recommend West System epoxy since many of the delaminmation problems I have personally experienced have occurred with Interlux fairing compound. Co-incidence? This would not prevent me from buying a good solid boat. It is not related to the wing keel Best, Rognvald

Bob S · May 8, 2010

The problem is fairly common and is primarily caused by improper etching of the lead/iron before application of the fairing compound. To repair, remove the delaminated material, grind/feather the edges with 80 grit back to clean adhesion, re-etch the metal and refair the keel.

How do you etch the lead?

RON20406 · May 10, 2010

etching lead

Bob S said:
How do you etch the lead?

Bob, Once the fairing compound has been removed and your down to clean lead, use a very stiff wire brush attachment on your drill or grinder to "scar" the surface of the keel to expose fresh lead and to provide a rough surface before the wetting out with epoxy. It should be very clean before applying the epoxy. There is an excellent "How To" by Gougeon Brothers/West System that you can access via computer. If you have any questions, let me know. Best, Rognvald

dscribner · May 10, 2010

I don't get it. I have a shoal keel and I "think" it's fiberglass all around. At least, the part that I walk in (Lancer) has to be fiberglass. Are other keels bolt-on or something?