During haul out this past season we noticed that the keel is a little loose and has a small amount of movement. When the boat was still in the travel lift slings, we could see a small amount of water being squeezed out at the hull to keel joint as the boat moved side to side with the keel touching the blocks on the ground.
I was originally planning to loosen the keel bolts and lower the keel so it could be cleaned up and then refasten it with 5200 and properly torqued nuts. Finally I would re-tape and epoxy the joint and fair.
After some research, I read that the keel would possibly have to be cut loose and there was a significant risk of damage by doing this.
I am now a little apprehensive and anybody with experience or comments on this would be appreciated.
Loose Keel repair
- Messing About
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 7:55 pm
Loose Keel repair
1988 F36/38
s/v Soltura
s/v Soltura
- bbarnewolt
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2008 12:10 pm
- Location: Mattapoisett, MA
Re: Loose Keel repair
Hi,
Perhaps you've read my brief thread in this forum from a few years back on weeping keel bolts. My 1988 F36/38 never had a loose keel and that is one reason why I never lowered it. If your keel is actually loose, maybe someone previously lowered it and removing it will not be such an ordeal. As our boats are of identical vintage, I would think the original manufacturing was the same as outlined in my previous post. Let me know if you have further questions.
Perhaps you've read my brief thread in this forum from a few years back on weeping keel bolts. My 1988 F36/38 never had a loose keel and that is one reason why I never lowered it. If your keel is actually loose, maybe someone previously lowered it and removing it will not be such an ordeal. As our boats are of identical vintage, I would think the original manufacturing was the same as outlined in my previous post. Let me know if you have further questions.
Brien
1988 F36/38
Mattapoisett, MA
1988 F36/38
Mattapoisett, MA