Underwater Caulk / Epoxy

[brianontheroad]

Good caulk/putty or epoxy that can be applied underwater? I think my keel joint has a slight leek (bolted on keel), we put in a new mast step in the yard a few months ago and it seems to be leaking underneath the mast step? I want to test that theory out by putting something over the seam around the keel there and see if it stops -- if so then I'll know that's the case, there's no moisture at all around any of the bolts, but there's a trickle of water that comes from below the mast step

nooooo fun

[fstbttms]

Splash Zone. Super easy to use, 2-part underwater epoxy. It ain't cheap, but it is the best.

Z-SPAR COATINGS004_120_005_504 at WestMarineNew

[tager]

Just haul it and fix it right.

[SkiprJohn]

I once had a trickle leak on a fin keel Catalina after touching bottom. I tightened up the keel bolts a bit and the leak stopped. I don't know your boat but if the mast is stepped on the keel and for some reason there has been an increase in pressure by over tightening the shrouds and stays while restepping the mast it could cause a small leak around the seam of the keel. I'd check the rig for overtightening and then try tightening the keel bolts just a bit.
regards,

[Efraim]

If you feel you must do underwater repairs go with best.
Cold Cure epoxy from Industrial Formulators. I've used it and it works.

[Tellie]

Fstbttms, made me do the search. I came up with this site. You could dang near earn a PhD in Epoxy from it.

Index of Boat Repair Sites - Basics, Options, Products, Paint, Epoxy and Coatings

[brianontheroad]

I'm thinking about pulling the boat, I've found a yard near a planned stop on our trip north, the keel is bolted on iron keel, it has a flange that is through bolted into the keel, the bolts are basically rusted to the nuts, I'm going to replace them so I can tighten them I was also thinking about grinding out the keel/hull joint and filling with 5200/4200/Life caulk some sort of polysulfide

any thoughts?