Keel Crack?

[nolandinsight]

Are the horizontal cracks on this keel below the hull something to be concerned with? Looks like paint cracks along a joint, but not sure wether that's normal wear and tear or a sign that the keel may fall off. I am certainly a neophyte, and would very much appreciate some knowledge from the old salts.

Thanks

[sharpey]

Looks like the keel-hull join... the bit above the crack would be a fibreglass stub if that's the case... and the bit below, the metal keel...

[boatman61]

Looks to me like the hull mould included a stub that the keel is bolted through into the hull... the 'Krack' is where the paint is over whatever sealant goo was used for sealing the join is losing adhesion.
But I could be wrong...
0.0000000000.5 centimes

[Pete the Cat]

These cracks are common and generally do not indicate a serious problem. I would suggest you tighten the keel bolts while it is blocked and dry to the specs of the designer or manufacturer. If this boat had water in the bilge and went through a freezing cycle I might be concerned.

[neilpride]

Best way to see if the gap is to much is to lift the boat in a travelift and see if the gap get open , to much and probably keel bolts are loose, retorque keel bolts can close the gap....you can use 5200 adesive sealant to fill the crack , i sugest you to check top bolts for excesive corrosion or leak traces and in doubt, replace it ... The crack is going to be there always, as the hull and keel work in seas, and no paint or epoxy primers can hide the crack, just check the condition of the keel bolts, retorque if necesary and done....

[s/v Jedi]

Take a sander and open the crack to inspect. You must correct this before putting it into the water. Find (or pay) somebody who knows what to do to tackle this job

[Kenomac]

If those are rust stains I see, that would suggest there's some corrosion taking place on the keel bolts. If the crack continues mostly all the way around, if I were you (and I have been in your deck shoes before) I'd take the opportunity to have the yard remove the keel, check the bolts, then re-bed the keel and tighten the bolts.

Your rig is already removed so this wouldn't be that big of a job. At the very least, you need to open up the crack all the way around and allow the open area to dry out before you seal it up again.

[delmarrey]

Rust is not a good sign. I'd remove the keel and replace the bolts with an aqualoy, or you may be having bigger problems. Once a keel starts to work things just get worse.
Was it taking on water the last time it was in the water?

[sy_gilana]

This is serious. If you do nothing it is going to get worse.
I would not sand or grind to investigate, I would do the following:
Unbolt keel, chock it, and raise hull clear.
Flop keel on its side.
Lower and chock hull.
Replace all keel bolts, if you must use stainless use 304.
Refinish the mating surface on both keel and stub.
Use grinder, and Ospho to kill rust on keel
Paint top surface with Epoxy primer
Raise hull and position keel for mating
Mask from just below the joint for 12" with paper.
Use 5200 and cut the cartridge off so that the whole turd comes out. (Prob 5x carts)
Spread the sealant with spatula down the centerline but more than 1" thick
Smear sealant up the bolts filling the threads no bubbles at least the thickness of the hull stub.
Drop boat onto keel, this will squeeze excess out and up through the hull holes =good
Scrape excess ooze on outside and inside on bolts.
Put new washers and load spreaders and one nut and tighten to just past hand tight
Leave overnight.
Once cured, torque bolts to the rec. torque for the diameter and matl of the bolt. (search online)
Sand excess sealant outside and then epoxy prime a continuous coat from the keel up onto the stub 3x.
Epoxy barrier coat eg Hempel Hi-Protect - antifoul
Place second lock nuts on bolts.
If Stainless bolts, clean the exposed metal spotlessly clean.
Drill holes in keel tap threads and fit anodes with bolts
Paint the backside of the anode in epoxy and anti-fouling.

This will not go away by itself.

Good luck

[nolandinsight]

Thank you for all the replies. It's not my boat, but one for sale I noticed on the side of the road today. Was doing some window shopping when I noticed the crack an rust stains. Thought I would bounce this off you guys before I started liking it too much. Maybe I'll just sail my own boat one more season....