Crack On The Keel

[gulfcoaster]

Hauled out last week to have folding prop installed. I noticed a crack that ran horizontally along the leading edge of the keel 6 inches on both sides around the front. My yard guy said its no big deal and didn't seem concerned. He said it was the hull to keel joint. Water didn't come out of it... Maybe I'm overreacting but I think a crack in anything is not a good thing.. I know there are many knowledgeable owners out there and I would appreciate their input. Thanks!!

 

[u079721]

We used to get this all the time. It's not a big deal in that it isn't structural, as in it doesn't mean your keel is going to fall off. But it does mean that water might get inside that keel stub joint eventually. And that can lead to corrosion of the keel bolts.

On the other hand, if it the joint is glassed over, but the 5200 bedding compound (or what ever the boat has) is still in good shape underneath, then a crack in the outside layer doesn't necessarily mean that water will get in. Since our keel was bedded with epoxy, we treated every crack as potentially serious.

Anyway, when we would see this at haul out we would sand it down and glass over it and hope the fix would hold a season or two.

 

[celtium]

Probably OK

It's probably nuthin , affectionately known as the Catalina Smile if I'm not mistaken.

But don't necessarily take it lightly either. I would suggest you have the keel bolts torqued to make sure all is good there. This should be a standard practice at any rate.

I have a longggg story on that account, so you can trust me on that one. If you do a retorque, I think getting under the mast is tough and a special wrench is needed for the farthest aft nut.

I also wouldn't take the yard's opinion either as the repair is a nasty one.

BUT!!! Like I said it's probably nothing, but do check it out.

Jay
E 38-200
SF Bay