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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Wooden core in bilge rotted

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tidesailer
1st Mate

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USA
53 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/19/2011 : 11:49:46

My 81 C25 iron fin keel has the wooden core that your keel bolts mount thru. Th wood is rotted and I am chizeling it out and replacing it. Does anyone know or heard of a different material used or replaced besides wood? Thanks for your input...Don

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2011 : 12:13:47

I think i would consider replacing it with a few layers of expoxy resin mixed with microfibers. Extremely durable and rot resistant.

Edited by - Sloop Smitten on 09/19/2011 12:15:21

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2011 : 12:40:50

I'd call Catalina and ask that question. Nobody knows the construction of their yachts better than they do. I would consider using the glass coring material that is used to replace rotted balsa or plywood deck coring. But first, I'd talk to Catalina.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2011 : 13:56:54

The technical contact is Kent Nelson - kent@catalinayachts.com

I believe you will need glass and resin work either way . . .

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/assets/HowTo-Publications/Fiberglass-Boat-Repair-and-Maintenance.pdf

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Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2011 : 15:41:08

Catalina will provide you with technical diagram and detailed description of the "correct" repair. It involves multiple layers of cloth and roving. Can be done while boat is still in water but much easier if on blocks.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tidesailer
 My 81 C25 iron fin keel has the wooden core that your keel bolts mount thru. Th wood is rotted and I am chizeling it out and replacing it. Does anyone know or heard of a different material used or replaced besides wood? Thanks for your input...Don
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2011 : 06:06:16

Thickened epoxy alone will be very "strong", but very brittle and perhaps a little too stiff. Laminating fiberglass mat/roving and perhaps some Corecell layers might be the solution. Wood was probably used due not just to its strength (when not rotten), but also to its ability to flex without breaking. I would definitely get an expert prescription from Catalina--this is a very high-stress area, both when the boat is heeled and pounding through the waves, and when it's set down on the hard with most of the hull supported by the keel. Remember the Texas A&M racer on the Gulf of Mexico where the repaired keel fell off a few years ago? The repair turned out to be what cost a life.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2011 : 06:34:01

A boat builder once responded on this forum about the use of wood in the keel stub stating that if a leak developed around the keel bolts the wood would swell sealing off the leak.

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tidesailer
1st Mate

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USA
53 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2011 : 09:09:10

Ill be a little more specific on what I have done.Im removing the wooden core by section at a time. After the removal I have added 4 layers of 22 oz(Catalina recomends3 layers of 24 oz. according to the drawing they sent me). matting with epoxy. But I still dont have the thickness as it had when the wood core was thier. I need about another inch of thickness to this . Can I build it up with epoxy with micro fiber to a inch thickness? Adding micro fiber to eboxy give the core enough flex it needs..thanks for your input...Don

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2011 : 11:04:03

I hate to sound like a broken record, but you should ask that question of Catalina. There's nothing more structurally significant than the mating of the keel to the hull. Also, you don't want to have to do that job more than once. Let Catalina's real experts guide you.

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rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2011 : 15:51:38

Did ya find the gold coin yet? Close to 4x the price since the keel was originally laid.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2011 : 17:15:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 I hate to sound like a broken record, but you should ask that question of Catalina. There's nothing more structurally significant than the mating of the keel to the hull. Also, you don't want to have to do that job more than once. Let Catalina's real experts guide you.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">totally agree

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rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2011 : 22:24:30

Thar jus' after yur gold, matie... Doh, missed it by a day. This would have made a whole lot more sense yesterday 9/19

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Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2011 : 22:28:39

I agree with everyone saying to contact Catalina for a good answer (if you do I'd be grateful if you post their reply...) Can I ask why you want it to be the original thickness? Are your keel bolts partially encapsulated? Another thing you may want to consider is whether the rotten wood has caused enough lack of compression that your keel has sagged and possibly damaged (cracked) the outer glass as well.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tidesailer
 Ill be a little more specific on what I have done.Im removing the wooden core by section at a time. After the removal I have added 4 layers of 22 oz(Catalina recomends3 layers of 24 oz. according to the drawing they sent me). matting with epoxy. But I still dont have the thickness as it had when the wood core was thier. I need about another inch of thickness to this . Can I build it up with epoxy with micro fiber to a inch thickness? Adding micro fiber to eboxy give the core enough flex it needs..thanks for your input...Don
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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