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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Weeping keel

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rsholler
Deckhand

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9 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/19/2009 : 18:33:52

Looking for advice. I noticed some rusty lines runnung down the starboard side of the fixed keel of my 1982 C25. Close examination revealed a crack in the casing fibergalss with some flexing of the glass on pressure. This is about halfway down the keel.
i surmise that there was water running down a keel bolt and then froze to fracture the overlying glass.
The keel bolt stubs in the bilge sump are well corroded with the nuts of three about 30% gone. I do not believe any of the five could be torqued even if they didn't break.
Is there anyone who has had this problem and what repair can be done?

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2009 : 18:43:18

Do some searches on the site for keel bolts, you'll find a number of threads. Also, you might want to tap Pat's brain since he just completed this project: http://www.catalina-capri-25s.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19663

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2009 : 19:40:07

Hi Bob... You have a cast iron keel with a gelcoat layer, so the sight of some external rust is pretty much to be expected, and is benign. As you can see, your keel bolts are mild steel (not stainless)--see the very recent post about drilling and tapping to sister in some new stainless bolts. I never did that, but my vintage ('85) had a lead keel with stainless bolts, so I can't comment on that project.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 04/19/2009 19:40:44

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2009 : 22:04:14

Dave -- As far as the keel bolts and nuts on Passage, I checked them last week, and they seem clean. No rust or corrosion. I cannot check for microscopic cracks.

Thankfully that is not an issue.

Can an iron keel rust out completely? It's gotta be pretty large, so I guess it would get a layer of rust on it and that would prevent further rusting.

My old daysailor had a 18 pound steel slab encased in fiberglass as a centerboard that rusted out completely. It caused the centerboard to swell, so it would no longer fit in the centerboard trunk.

I fixed it by cutting the board in 1/2, removing the crust, then replacing the steel with melted lead and sealing it back up. Works great now.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.