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fixed keel has vertical crack in middle of keel

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seeverest
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/07/2018 : 10:16:08

Hello all I have a fixed keel Catalina 25 with what I believe is a lead keel its a 1984. I noticed that after being on the hard all winter that a vertical crack appeared in the middle of the keel on the port side and doing the tap test I found that there is maybe a 6" diameter void around the crack that appears to be where the glass has pulled away from the weighted ballast. the boat doesn't have any other signs of cracking on the keel and the hull to keel connection doesn't show any signs of a smile. Im guessing this crack occurred because some water may have seeped down into the keel somehow and when it froze created the crack. Im pretty sure the water came from the keel bolts not being capped and a leaking port window put maybe a gallon of water in the bilge. My question is what is the best way to fix this and make sure it doesn't happen again? thank you

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2018 : 21:46:32

Welcome Sean!

I'm inclined to agree with your whole diagnosis... I had the encapsulated lead keel, but never had that kind of damage. I probably would focus on sealing around the bolts and any other signs of leak opportunities in the keel trunk--many kinds of "goop" are good--and then patch the encapsulation outside with something like Marine-Tex.

The "Catalina smile" is generally not an issue on these later boats--on the older ones it's between the solid, uncovered cast iron keel and the trunk.

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 05/07/2018 21:50:45

seeverest
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2018 : 05:35:48

Stinkpotter, Thank you for your input it�s good to hear that I�m on the right path.

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3994 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2018 : 05:51:56

I agree with Dave, If you suspect the water intrusion is through the bolts then I would dry up the bilge and apply a heavy thick coating of roofing cement or paint on truck bed liner to the nuts and bilge. This should stop the water from getting down past the bolts then repair the damage to the keel. If your correct then it shouldn't reappear. The leaky windows are another project. You could put a poly tarp over the cabin top while doing this to stop any water from coming in the windows.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Edited by - islander on 05/08/2018 05:54:47

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