Contest 31 keel plate cracks

[Fastbikes1]

Hello
I'm looking at contest 31 that's been on the hard for 10yrs.
The Crack seems to be wearing idly water from the bilge but I'm not sure.
The keel bolts look good.
Major problem or cosmetic?
Thoughts plz

[Pete7]

The pictures of the outside of the hull show the edges of the flange on the top of the keel. It is likely the flange sits into a moulding in the hull and the gap is filled with a sealant.

Every so often we have to scrape the sealant out around the edge and replace ours and then paint over again, no big deal, couple of hours each Spring.

Pete

[Cheechako]

Trying to figure why there are cracks that run parallel to each other above and below where the keel meets the hull....? If I'm seeing that right.... Shouldn't there be just one interface?

[Fastbikes1]

Originally Posted by Pete7

The pictures of the outside of the hull show the edges of the flange on the top of the keel. It is likely the flange sits into a moulding in the hull and the gap is filled with a sealant.

Every so often we have to scrape the sealant out around the edge and replace ours and then paint over again, no big deal, couple of hours each Spring.

Pete

Thanks for that..my concern was that it looks like it is wepping oily water from the bilge.
If it's just a wire brush and reseal then paint over I'm more than happy.
Many Thanks Paul

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Paul.

[bsurvey]

torguing the keel bolts is the only way to know they are sound. if so then this is just cosmetic

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by bsurvey

torguing the keel bolts is the only way to know they are sound. if so then this is just cosmetic

Torquing the keel blots will not tell you if the keel bolt sealant has failed. But bilge water continuously dripping from the keel/hull joint is a good indicator that it has failed.

[Alex_V]

I am guessing this one big time - what if you fill the bilge with a bright colored liquid, and see if it seeps through to the outside.

No idea how much of an issue this is, but at least you would now where the water is coming from.

[Bill O]

Fastbikes,
Have you contacted Contest Yachts to ask them? Don't remember why I contacted them previously, but they were very helpful.

Bill O.

[Fore and Aft]

You say the boat has been out of the water for 10 years so that moisture in the crack can be only coming from the inside of the yacht?
Take the keel of, it should be easy (particularly if there is a travel lift) as whatever was used to bond it to the hull has failed. Paint that bilge while the keel is of as well.
Also if I was buying her I would strip all the antifoul of and put on some epoxy barrier coats. A hull that has been out of the water for 10 years should be very dry. Change the cutlass bearing on the shaft as well.
Cheers

[Fastbikes1]

Thank you all..
I have decided not to buy the boat as it's a project boat and the keel is just one more jobs and it's a job too many..
Many Thanks for your advice and help

[Fore and Aft]

What was the price and location of the Contest 31 Fast Bikes?
Cheers