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 Hull issues around swing keel assembly		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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bsmudd
1st Mate

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61 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/24/2004 :  11:34:41  Show Profile
I had some very small cracks under the boat, around the swing keel mounting assembly when I pulled Chimera out. I hit them lightly with the dremel drum sander to test their extent and soon I was in to some significant voids and what appeared to be some rot inside the hull, surrounding the swing keel assembly.

Some boatyard folks said it was alright, to fill the voids with West System and she'd be ok. One boatyard worker suggested that maybe there is supposed to be a small void, that the structural frame might be covered by a thin fiberglass shell, and therefore the voids dont represent a structural problem.

I followed their advice, filled with West epoxy, and bottom painted, but I'm still a little bit uneasy because I never saw the full extent of the rot. I am having the boat appraised this week and plan on getting the appraisers opinion but maybe you all have some knowledge on this-

1) Is there supposed to be some amount of void between a shell and the structural fiberglass?

2) How extensive would the interior damage have to be to reduce the strength of the keel mounting assembly?

3) Have you ever heard of fiberglass rot leading to a major swing keel problem?

Thanks,
Shane
- B.S. Mudd -
on the Chimera
Edited by - on

Steve Kostanich
1st Mate

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88 Posts
Response Posted - 05/24/2004 :  12:10:21  Show Profile
B.S.Mudd

I have never heard of fiberglass "rotting" as it is, for the most part, inorganic after it cures, and pretty inert to that type of deterioration. I am guessing you openned some gel coat voids, which are air spaces between the glass laminate and the gel coat skin. If that is the case, they are pretty insignificant, and should be filled with epoxy filler. as the yard guys told you. As for the rot issue, there is nothing wood like in that area, except the support post glassed into the front of the keel trunk to support the mast load. You would have been leaking a heck of a lot of water if its end became exposed thru the bottom of the boat.

Steve Kostanich C-25 Equinox 1119 sr/sk
Edited by - Steve Kostanich on 05/24/2004 12:12:34
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bsmudd
1st Mate

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61 Posts
Response Posted - 05/24/2004 :  12:29:01  Show Profile
I guess "rot" is the wrong word then. But doesn't penetration of water into a fiberglass hull lead to deterioration through delamination of the fiberglass layers?
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts
Response Posted - 05/24/2004 :  14:26:05  Show Profile
"...that the structural frame might be covered by a thin fiberglass shell..."

I 'explored' this area on my SK and I think this is exactly the case. The keel hinge appears to be firmly bedded into 'real' structure, but the areas surrounding the hinges look like they are essentially 'filler' for hydrodynamics and appearance. I dug out some voids from my hull and re-filled with marine-tex.

There's no core in the hull.. it's all fiberglass so it can't really rot. Delaminate ? Dunno... I think most structural damage from fiberglass/water occurs when water gets trapped under a gelcoat and concentrations of harmful chemicals build up inside the structure (i.e. it can't breathe).
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bsmudd
1st Mate

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61 Posts
Response Posted - 05/24/2004 :  16:17:33  Show Profile
Thanks ClamBeach- thats VERY good to hear. I'll breathe alot easier when I finally get her back in the water.

- Shane
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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.