Catalina 22 keel trunk delaminating

[Keithward]

Not exactly the keel trunk but the reinforcing pads that run
the length of the keel trunk on both sides of the boat
at the edges of the pads away from the keel trunk there are tiny
cracks that leak.
I have salt water coming in the boat.
if the boat is in the water for five or six days without running
the bilge pump’s I might have two inches of salt water in the
bilge and there is no Bilge sump so we’re talking about 30 40 50
gallons of water so 5 to 10 gallons a day.
The combined perimeter of the keel trunk pads is about 14‘, 6’ on
each side and about a foot on both ends all of that is not visible
only about half or a little more is actually visible
there are only four hairline cracks along this perimeter and none
of them are more than 4 inches long.
what are some possible solutions where is the water coming from
it would seem like it would have to actually be coming from the
inside of the keel trunk.
there are no obvious cracks on the hull and There is an epoxy
barrier coat.

My thought is to grind the edges of the cracks.
drive some wedges gently to open and pour in thinned epoxy
and remove the wedges.



THOUGHTS
THANKS

[Lake-Effect]

Scary.

Are you certain that that is the place where water is getting in, or just your best guess? Much easier to fix if it's just a leaking thruhull...

When you're putting serious lateral force on the keel (eg a hard beam reach with lots of heel) can you detect any flexing of the keel trunk or cabin sole? Does that increase the rate of water entry?

My first thoughts are that the boat got thrown ashore with excessive lateral force on the extended keel. Or maybe just fatigue from decades of hard use.


If there is lateral flexing of the keel trunk, then just filling the visible cracks will be temporary at best. Fixing a flexing keel trunk could get quite involved and require some structural additions like braces or plates.

[Keithward]

No flexing
no other issues
great boat
The only through hulls are for the keel pendant and cockpit drain
and they are all new. There is slight staining around the cracks.

[Jim Cate]

MANY years ago my Cat 22 (hull nr 61!) developed leaks around the keel pivot pin. I suspect that newer models have improved that fitting, but it is a place to chec.

And I concur that your plan of filling with thinned epoxy is a total waste of time.

Trying to observe under stress is a good thing if you can manage it.

Good luck... i hope you can save your boat!

Jim

[Stu Jackson]

We, too, had a C22, #10496, 1981.

I'm not sure if there are differences between the Mark I and Mark II boats in that particular area.

IIRC, Catalina made over 16,000 [NOT a typo!!!] Catalina 22s.

There are active owners groups ONLINE for these boats.

I suggest you go and find them. A reasonable staring place is www.catalina22.org. [I personally don't know if that link works.]

There are also plenty of personal C22 websites and blogs about this boats and improvements, repairs and enhancements their skippers have made and "published."

You could also try www.catalinaowners.com, where there is an active group of C22 skippers.

That's where I'd go look.

Good luck.