cracks in keel serious?

[signs65a]

Well this is one thing that I would take very seriously. About 50 people a year die worldwide from the keel falling off the boat that they are sailing. We just had one in Western Australia, the Skipper died. A female crew was also trapped inside due to her automatic life jacket doing it's job. But she got free. Another crew member didn't. I would drop the keel and inspect everything. Then re-fit as others have said, you will then at least have peace of mind. Many times this is a result of running aground. Better to be safe, than sorry.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, i-Zap.

[ramblinrod]

Originally Posted by signs65a

Well this is one thing that I would take very seriously. About 50 people a year die worldwide from the keel falling off the boat that they are sailing. We just had one in Western Australia, the Skipper died. A female crew was also trapped inside due to her automatic life jacket doing it's job. But she got free. Another crew member didn't. I would drop the keel and inspect everything. Then re-fit as others have said, you will then at least have peace of mind. Many times this is a result of running aground. Better to be safe, than sorry.

The difference between salt and freshwater.

About 25% of the boats 25+ years old I see on the Great Lakes have (or have had) this type and degree of hull/keel join smile.

I have never heard of a keel falling off a fresh water boat of any age due to crevice corrosion.

I fix 3 or 4 of these smiles every year. Have never lowered the keel on any. For a salt water boat, I would use much greater caution.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by signs65a

Well this is one thing that I would take very seriously. About 50 people a year die worldwide from the keel falling off the boat that they are sailing. We just had one in Western Australia, the Skipper died. A female crew was also trapped inside due to her automatic life jacket doing it's job. But she got free. Another crew member didn't. I would drop the keel and inspect everything. Then re-fit as others have said, you will then at least have peace of mind. Many times this is a result of running aground. Better to be safe, than sorry.

Welcome aboard Signs65A!

[i-Zapp]

Originally Posted by ramblinrod

Addendum.

After the keel / hull join is fixed. Grind all the rust off the keel to bright metal, and sand the rest very course (40 grit). Immediately apply 4 heavy coats of epoxy primer/barrier (I use Interlux Interprotect E2000) and when the final coat is still green (cured to point still tacky but doesn't transfer onto your glove) apply the anti-fouling. (It looks like your boat currently has Interlux VC17 on it. Good choice for the Great Lakes).

If it were my boat, having been in fresh water all its life, I would just retorque the keel bolt nuts, fix the smile, get rid of the rust (as above).

In general, your anti-fouling looks kinda crappy, so I would recommend stripping, primer coat if no signs of osmosis, barrier coat if their is, and fresh VC17.

If your not so worried about performance and appearance, just scuff sand, apply a fresh coat of VC17 and go.

If you don't want to do it, bring your boat up to Lake Ontario in the fall and give me call. (Sorry about the gratuitous solicitation folks, can't help myself.) ;-)

thanks for the advice. When the weather FINALLY breaks (snowing again today) I'll begin by checking the keel bolts, and will likely grind back the keel for a fresh coat of bottom paint while addressing the cracks. sounds messy, but gotta do what ya gotta do!

[skunther]

I have a similar crack. Good to hear it’s likely just bolt torque. I will check and address at the next haulout.