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Any chance to stop/ seal keel rust in water.

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rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/27/2011 : 17:26:36

The entire keel has been graciously epoxy sealed and bottom painted by the po while on the trailer, but, the dive I took found two small rusty sections, both 3 in^2 on the obviously inaccessible bottom. Epoxy sticks and even G-flex with adhere underwater; any chance this kind of repair would be worth it to keep her in the water for another year?

Molly Brown: 1967 Grand Banks 32-#34. Bronze, mahogany, teak, oak, with 120hp diesel to push all 10 tons. Currently an abuser of the bilge pump. Also... The Tall Rig Spirit: 1978, #973, Cast Fe Fin Keel on a Trailer

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 17:43:09

I assume you have an older boat with a cast iron keel. If so and depending on where the rust is located on the keel I wouldn't worry too much about a couple of small areas of rust. If it's near the keel bolt area, any attachment areas near the keel stub if a fixed/wing keel, near the keel hangers or retract cable attach point if a swing keel, or if the keel hangers and/or keel retract cable have not been maintained in the past year I would pull it and take care of it now. If it's farther down on the keel or away from the hangers/cable and depending on how deep the rust is into the cast iron you MIGHT be OK to wait until next year. It will more than likely have more rust next year even if you fix these areas this year. It's just the nature of the beast.

I've read numerous posts on this site and others where boats with cast iron keels have been neglected and left in the water for 5 - 7 years (until a new owner came along). They all had heavy rust on the keel that was still repairable by grinding out the rust and covering with the appropriate rust preventers/epoxies. The next time they were pulled they had more rust.

Take another look and/or have a surveyor take a look at the above mentioned areas. If you feel it can wait and/or a surveyor feels it can wait then relax and enjoy the boat while you plan on pulling it next year for maintenance. If you still have questions pull the boat and take care of it now. It's not worth the risk!

All of the above is contingent on you having had the boat recently surveyed or you maintaining the other keel components recently. If not, pull the boat and take care of all the underwater needs now.

Edited to clarify my response.

Edited by - GaryB on 08/28/2011 10:50:54

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2011 : 18:52:21

Another mark checked to brave another year, thanks. I understand the repair capability of these iron keels, I found a CD on board with some jpgs I'd rather not have seen.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2011 : 10:16:04

Don't base your decision on my online response. I'm only providing anecdotal information to your question based on second or third hand information and therefore should not be used as a recommendation on how to handle your situation. You are the one looking at the boat and are the only one capable (other than a surveyor) that can make the decision to wait another year. As I mentioned you need to take into consideration the condition of EVERYTHING below the waterline.

Don't risk your life or your family and friends lives by being trying to save a buck!!! Don't put off needed maintenance!

Also, keep in mind that "Anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site".

Edited by - GaryB on 08/28/2011 10:53:51

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2011 : 10:38:13

Hi Earl... It's not clear whether you're talking about a swing or fin keel. (The early fins were iron--later ones encapsulated lead.) It would help if you put your year, rig and keel in your signature. Not that it makes that much difference in this case--Gary's right--rust is a fact of life with cast iron. The good news is there's plenty of iron down there... Assuming fresh water (Idaho), you should have a couple of hundred years worth of keel there if you do nothing. If you're racing, you might want to grind, fill and fair every few years.

The critical maintenance Gary refers to is for swing keels--to prevent free-falls that can result in sinking.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/28/2011 10:56:47

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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.