Wing Keel

[CCR2580]

I have a wing keel and my diver has noticed a chunk (looks like a bite) is missing. The piece is approximately 2"x 3". The piece missing is on the back edge of the starboard wing. Not too sure what the composite is of the wing section. Is this something that needs repairing or can I live with it missing without consequences? Help!

[denverd0n]

Unless the whole thing is solid fiberglass (extremely unlikely!) then water is going to soak into the core material. When you finally get around to hauling it out and fixing it, you are going to have to dry all of that core material, and perhaps replace some of it. The longer you wait, the bigger that job is going to be.

I would haul and fix it ASAP.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Unless the whole thing is solid fiberglass (extremely unlikely!) then water is going to soak into the core material. When you finally get around to hauling it out and fixing it, you are going to have to dry all of that core material, and perhaps replace some of it. The longer you wait, the bigger that job is going to be.

I would haul and fix it ASAP.

+1

Start googlin' your wing keel construction...

[pcmm]

Unless you have a racer, the Wing on a keel is usually part of the lead casting. if a chunk is missing off the trailing edge, it sound to me like a defect in the casting. dive on it with an ice pick and poke at it and see if it feels like metal or core material.

[CCR2580]

I just determined the wing keel is cast iron. To me I will have to eventually fix, but I don't think it is an urgent problem. Do you think I can wait until next year when I haul it out to repaint the bottom, or is it an urgent problem.

[Pete7]

If its cast iron it isn't going to make the slightest difference to the boat or any future repair. Go sailing and fix it next winter.

Pete

[a64pilot]

Why fix it at all, just bottom paint the bare piece?

Welding cast Iron is not difficult, especially something non-structural, I used to do it all the time on the Farm, used Nickel rod I believe and had better results if I pre-heated it.

[DivingOtter]

Have your diver take some 1187, otherwise known as "splash zone" and cover it up until it can be hauled. It's a 2 part underwater epoxy that I have used too many times to count. West marine has their own version of it it.