Help please, I've found a great looking O'DAY 272 that I'd like to purchase. The problem seems to be the winged keel, which shows signs of severe pitting and goughing, actual chunks missing. It has a sacraficial zinc attached to the keel.I understand it may have had a electrical issue and was discharging thru the keel. Is this serious? Can it be repaired? Will the keel fall off? Any advise would be apreciated. Thanks
winged keel
- Thread starter Walt24076
- Start date
- Status
Survey
Walt, Get the boat surveyed. I had a 1987 272 and there was a problem with the primer used when the boat was new. It caused the paint to blister on the keel. This was unsightly but strictly cosmetic. After the new owner had the bottom done and the paint and primer and barrier coat completely removed it looked fine. This was a fresh water boat. Good Luck, Jeff
Walt, Get the boat surveyed. I had a 1987 272 and there was a problem with the primer used when the boat was new. It caused the paint to blister on the keel. This was unsightly but strictly cosmetic. After the new owner had the bottom done and the paint and primer and barrier coat completely removed it looked fine. This was a fresh water boat. Good Luck, Jeff
I thought that the 272 had a cast lead wing keel??
I don't understand the pitting if it is cast lead... I understand the gouging if it is lead, if you find terra firma in 3.5 feet of water, that can create some nice chunks to be removed. r.w.landau
I don't understand the pitting if it is cast lead... I understand the gouging if it is lead, if you find terra firma in 3.5 feet of water, that can create some nice chunks to be removed. r.w.landau
Galvanic Cell?
When you mention in your original post that the loss of metal on the keel may be an electrical issue, are you refering to the type of galvanic cell "erosion" that occurs in a "hot" marina between boats? You don't normally hear about that affecting keels, since there are propshafts, propellers, outdrives and throughhulls to corrode first but I suppose on a 272 with an outboard that is pulled up out of the water, the only metal left in the water is the keel. Boats that are not well "bonded" electrically can have galvanic corrosion between two different submerged parts, the less "noble" metal giving up material. But when you go into a marina situation and plug into shore power all hell can break loose because adjacent boats are now connected electrically through the shore power circuits. There are isolaters sold to help reduce the damage, but I still don't think it is entirely under control. Electrical "leaks" in someone else's boat can end up eating the prop (or maybe even the keel) off of yours. Hence the term "hot marina". As far as the keel falling off, I think that would have more to do with the condition of the keel bolts and those are visible through the long skinny hatch in the center of the salon. I'm not sure what the best way to inspect those would be, but a good surveyor should know. I would recommend getting a survey done before making a purchase decision. Some people I know have skipped it at the purchase to save a few hundred bucks only to find that a survey is required anyway to get insurance.
When you mention in your original post that the loss of metal on the keel may be an electrical issue, are you refering to the type of galvanic cell "erosion" that occurs in a "hot" marina between boats? You don't normally hear about that affecting keels, since there are propshafts, propellers, outdrives and throughhulls to corrode first but I suppose on a 272 with an outboard that is pulled up out of the water, the only metal left in the water is the keel. Boats that are not well "bonded" electrically can have galvanic corrosion between two different submerged parts, the less "noble" metal giving up material. But when you go into a marina situation and plug into shore power all hell can break loose because adjacent boats are now connected electrically through the shore power circuits. There are isolaters sold to help reduce the damage, but I still don't think it is entirely under control. Electrical "leaks" in someone else's boat can end up eating the prop (or maybe even the keel) off of yours. Hence the term "hot marina". As far as the keel falling off, I think that would have more to do with the condition of the keel bolts and those are visible through the long skinny hatch in the center of the salon. I'm not sure what the best way to inspect those would be, but a good surveyor should know. I would recommend getting a survey done before making a purchase decision. Some people I know have skipped it at the purchase to save a few hundred bucks only to find that a survey is required anyway to get insurance.
On my 272 there were a couple of cavities ...
that we just pressure washed and filled with epoxy. For that matter we may have "uncovered" them with the pressure spray. A lot of keel "imperfections" are "Faired" with epoxy filler on racing boats all the time. I didn't think it was a electrolis problem ... and over the last five years I haven't had another problem. it may originally been a casting problem like we get voids under gel coat on the deck. They were NOT near the joint between the hull and the keel, but in the wings and were maybe the size less than half a ping pong ball. The bilge is shallow and the bolts readily inspectable. I have no idea why there was a zinc attached, nor whether that is standard practice on lead keels ... this is the first I have heard of it. I don't think it is covered in the 272 manual. But then I have a zinc on my prop shaft. I have had my 272 #622 since 2000. But I am thinking that zincs barely last 6 months if they are doing their job. And that has to be without bottom paint sealing them from the water. If it looks like an "old" zinc that isn't crumbling away ... maybe it is just a "mistake" by a PO. There is a 272 on Ebay right now ... see link. Vic "Seven"
that we just pressure washed and filled with epoxy. For that matter we may have "uncovered" them with the pressure spray. A lot of keel "imperfections" are "Faired" with epoxy filler on racing boats all the time. I didn't think it was a electrolis problem ... and over the last five years I haven't had another problem. it may originally been a casting problem like we get voids under gel coat on the deck. They were NOT near the joint between the hull and the keel, but in the wings and were maybe the size less than half a ping pong ball. The bilge is shallow and the bolts readily inspectable. I have no idea why there was a zinc attached, nor whether that is standard practice on lead keels ... this is the first I have heard of it. I don't think it is covered in the 272 manual. But then I have a zinc on my prop shaft. I have had my 272 #622 since 2000. But I am thinking that zincs barely last 6 months if they are doing their job. And that has to be without bottom paint sealing them from the water. If it looks like an "old" zinc that isn't crumbling away ... maybe it is just a "mistake" by a PO. There is a 272 on Ebay right now ... see link. Vic "Seven"
- Status